Da Nang police bust cross-border bank impersonation scam that defrauded 1,200 people across Vietnam

Municipal police recently arrested 13 Vietnamese suspects shortly after the group entered Vietnam from Cambodia, following months of investigation that began after authorities discovered fake Facebook pages posing as the Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam, better known as Vietcombank.

Investigators said the suspects were part of an overseas based online scam network targeting victims nationwide.

They have been prosecuted on charges of using computer networks, telecommunications systems, and electronic means to appropriate assets under the Vietnamese Penal Code.

According to initial findings, the group set up fake Vietcombank Facebook pages in September 2025 offering assistance with credit card issuance.

Using virtual hotline numbers beginning with 028999, they posed as bank staff and persuaded victims to transfer money under the guise of processing fees and financial verification requirements.

One victim, identified as D.V.T. from Hoa Xuan Ward in Da Nang, lost VND14.8 million, or $573, on September 9, 2025 after being contacted by the scammers.

Police said the stolen funds were used to purchase electronic vouchers on the Got It platform, game cards, and electronic devices such as mobile phones and tablets from retailers including Dien May Xanh, The Gioi Di Dong, and FPT Shop.

The goods were later resold to launder the proceeds.

Authorities said the ring operated virtual call centers and used voice over IP software to conceal identities and hinder tracking.

The operation involved close coordination between members based in Vietnam and those working abroad.

The alleged ringleader was identified as a Vietnamese man who oversaw about 23 associates operating from offices in the New World area of Bavet in Cambodia’s Svay Rieng Province.

The network was organized into specialized teams responsible for approaching potential victims, extracting personal and banking information, pressuring targets to transfer money under various pretexts, and handling the subsequent movement of funds.

Investigators said two suspects in Vietnam played a key role in managing all electronic transactions and converting the illicit proceeds through purchases and resale.

The profits were divided, with 66 percent allocated to the Cambodia-based group and 34 percent to accomplices in Vietnam.

Payments were reportedly settled in USDT cryptocurrency in an effort to evade detection.

Preliminary estimates indicate that since early 2025 the network has defrauded more than 1,200 victims nationwide, causing total losses of around VND100 billion, or $3.85 million.

The investigation is ongoing as police continue to identify additional suspects and trace related transactions.