CaliToday (10/9/2025): A wave of public concern is growing across Vietnam regarding social order and safety, as authorities warn of sophisticated new scamming tactics proliferating within unlicensed aesthetic clinics. These illegal, or "chui" (underground), establishments are reportedly preying on the rising demand for cosmetic procedures, leaving a trail of victims who have suffered both significant financial loss and severe health complications.
The issue has captured public attention as numerous reports have surfaced detailing the deceptive methods employed by these unscrupulous operators. The new schemes are noted for their psychological manipulation and aggressive marketing, which begins long before a customer ever steps foot inside the clinic.
The Modus Operandi: A Sophisticated Lure
According to reports, the scam typically starts with a highly appealing online advertisement. Using social media platforms like Facebook and TikTok, these clinics flood newsfeeds with slickly produced videos and "before and after" photos, promising dramatic results for popular procedures like fillers, skin whitening, and non-surgical facelifts at unbelievably low prices. These offers are often framed as "limited-time promotions" to create a sense of urgency.
Once a potential victim expresses interest, they are invited for a "free consultation." During this meeting, the staff, who often lack any medical certification, employ high-pressure tactics. They may diagnose non-existent or exaggerated flaws and insist that the heavily advertised cheap procedure is unsuitable. Instead, they push a much more expensive, comprehensive, and "exclusive" treatment package, claiming it is necessary for a safe and effective outcome.
Victims report feeling cornered and manipulated into agreeing to these costly packages, often paying large sums of money upfront.
The Grave Risks: From Financial Loss to Physical Harm
The consequences extend far beyond the financial deception. The procedures at these "chui" clinics are frequently performed by untrained individuals in unsanitary conditions, using products that are often of unknown origin, unapproved, or counterfeit.
This has led to a growing number of documented medical emergencies, including:
Severe Infections: Caused by unsterilized equipment and poor hygiene.
Allergic Reactions and Necrosis: Resulting from the injection of fake or low-quality filler substances.
Permanent Disfigurement: Including scarring, asymmetry, and long-term tissue damage.
Compounding the problem, when complications arise, these underground clinics often disappear. Lacking official business licenses and operating from temporary locations, they can shut down overnight, change their name, and block all communication with the victim, making it nearly impossible for individuals to seek compensation or hold anyone accountable.
Authorities are urging the public to exercise extreme caution when considering any cosmetic procedure. They advise citizens to thoroughly verify the credentials of any clinic and practitioner, check for official operating licenses issued by the Ministry of Health, and be deeply skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true. The recent surge in these scams serves as a stark reminder that prioritizing low costs over safety can lead to irreversible and devastating consequences.
