CaliToday (30/12/2025): As the festive season approaches, the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) has issued an urgent warning regarding a sophisticated wave of cybercrime targeting the Vietnamese tradition of giving "lucky money" (Lì xì). Authorities report a sharp spike in phishing attacks disguised as year-end banking rewards, threatening to drain the accounts of unwary citizens.
The "Brandname" Trap According to the Department of Cyber Security and High-Tech Crime Prevention, scammers are deploying advanced SMS Brandname spoofing technology. This allows fraudulent messages to appear directly within legitimate conversation threads from major banks, making them nearly indistinguishable from authentic notifications.
The messages typically tap into the holiday spirit, notifying users that they have received "early Tet lucky money" or are eligible for a "Year-End Gratitude Prize." These texts invariably contain a embedded hyperlink.
A One-Click Heist "The psychology of the scam is simple: urgency and greed," said a cybersecurity analyst in Hanoi. "Users see a message from their trusted bank offering 500,000 VND or a gift, and they click without thinking."
Clicking the link directs victims to a counterfeit website that mirrors the bank’s official interface. Once the user enters their username, password, or One-Time Password (OTP) to "claim" the money, hackers instantly capture the credentials and empty the account balance.
Official Recommendations The MPS has advised all citizens to adhere to a "Zero Trust" policy during the holidays:- Absolute Ban on Links: Banks and state agencies stated they never ask customers to access websites via SMS links to receive money.
- Verify Sources: If you receive a suspicious offer, disconnect and contact the bank's official hotline immediately.
- Slow Down: Do not let the rush of the New Year pressure you into quick clicks.
Authorities emphasize that vigilance is the only effective firewall as digital transactions surge for the upcoming Year of the Horse.