Executive Summary

Comparison between

Aug-Sep 2023 and May-Jun 2023

The total conversation about safety and security in Vietnam increased by 13% in August – September compared to May – June. The main conversation driver behind this increase was users reporting scams involving the impersonation of bank employees.

People discussed deepfake tech in scams in May- June, offered credit card security tips, and debated reasons for Vietnam’s perceived cybersecurity struggles. The theme of scams in which scammers impersonate bank employees was present in May – June and continued to be discussed in August – September. The more recent conversations were driven by users who fell prey to scams and were looking to share their stories and tips on avoiding this in the future.

Payment Methods conversation nearly doubled (4.6K to 9.0K posts) due to discussions about online bank transfers nearly tripling – primarily driven by the scams where bank employees were impersonated. Fraud Types conversation increased by 11%  – the generic/other fraud topic increased posts due to discussions about the perceived rise of online fraud. 

Fraud Prevention conversations decreased by 18% (4.9K to 4.0K posts), caused mainly by less discussion about data privacy in August – September, despite it being an important topic (81% of all Fraud Prevention conversations).

1. Conversations on Safety and Security

In general, Safety and Security conversations articles on fraud and scams, especially scammers impersonating bank employees, were widely shared. The prevalence of these types of spam calls resonated with people, who expressed annoyance at sometimes being called daily. Users who were suspected of being targeted by fraudsters turned to social media for help, with one person reporting 20 incoming calls, where the callers were asking for a One-Time Password. People responded by confirming this was fraudulent activity and by sharing tips on how to handle the issue, e.g., by using ChatGPT or changing their phone number.

2. Safety and Security of different payment methods

Discussions about Payment Methods surged by 97% in August – September, primarily driven by conversations about online bank transfers due to a rise in fraudulent schemes whereby scammers have been impersonating bank staff. Users shared advice on protecting against fraud, including avoiding suspicious Android Package Kit (APK) files on Android. Those files have been used to install mobile apps on Android phones, and scammers have been using them to distribute malware. Consumers asked for more action from banks. Credit cards were also discussed, notably credit card repayment scams, where scammers promised to cover credit card debt for a fee and requested personal data.

3. Types of fraud techniques

In Fraud Types, users shared their experiences and empathised with hacking victims while also sharing prevention tips. They also cautioned against emerging scams like QR fraud, emphasising the importance of verifying account information. People also discussed a perceived rise in online fraud, factors contributing to scams, and challenges in tracking and policing fraud.

4. Fraud Prevention

When discussing Fraud Prevention, people emphasised the importance of data privacy and sharing experiences of their personal data being sold. Consumers recognised the increasing sophistication of hackers and the increased risk to banks from advanced tech attacks. News reports highlighted the growing importance of secured payment methods, with educational content emphasising the role of the secure sockets layer (SSL) certification in building customer trust around online shopping. SSL is a protocol for encrypting internet traffic, which adds security to a website. The public valued content from banks and trusted websites, particularly advice on identifying fraudulent video calls and blockchain security, was of interest.