According to the Information Security Department, there has been a recent increase in individuals within social media groups offering airline tickets at unexpectedly low prices, requiring buyers to transfer a deposit and then fraudulently taking their money.
The Information Security Department recommends that people be vigilant when buying and selling airline tickets on social networking platforms. Illustration photo: TL
According to the Information Security Department, there has been a recent increase in individuals within social media groups offering airline tickets at unexpectedly low prices, requiring buyers to transfer a deposit and then fraudulently taking their money.
Exploiting the desire for cheap deals, some scammers create fake Facebook accounts, posting advertisements for low-priced airline tickets and hotel bookings in groups with many participants. After someone contacts them to make a purchase, the scammers ask for a deposit and then disappear, with many victims losing up to tens of millions of dong.
These individuals often impersonate well-known travel companies, including easy-to-remember phone numbers and reputable bank account names in their posts. The content typically promotes special promotions, vouchers with significant discounts, and a limited supply.
Once the victim completes the deposit, the scammers send them a booking code for the ticket or room. The criminals deceive people by exploiting the booking systems of some hotels or airlines, which allow customers to obtain a booking code before payment, with a grace period of 12-24 hours for payment. Victims only realize they have been scammed when they arrive at the airport or the destination.
The Information Security Department (Ministry of Information and Communications) advises the public to be extremely cautious when buying airline tickets on social media platforms. It is essential to thoroughly verify the company’s information, request the scammer to provide a company contract with the director’s signature and seal, and use various methods to authenticate the website domain, business registration details, address, and tax identification number of the company before proceeding with any transaction.
Furthermore, if any signs of fraud are detected, the public should immediately report them to the authorities and share the information on social media to help prevent and stop the spread of such scams.
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Source: Vietnam Insider