On 10/7, the Ho Chi Minh City Police Department's Criminal Investigation Division announced the successful rescue of a third-year university student from an "online kidnapping" scheme. They are currently investigating and pursuing those involved.
Two nights earlier, the student's family reported to the Bay Hien Ward Police Station that their 21-year-old daughter had been "kidnapped and threatened by criminals demanding 200 million VND". The Criminal Investigation Division's special task force, in coordination with local police, verified the incident and identified it as an online kidnapping scam.
That same night, investigators followed the information provided by the family and checked a hotel room in Ho Chi Minh City, where they found the student in a state of distress.
After being brought back, the young woman explained that on 5/7 she received a call from an unknown number claiming to be from Shopee delivery, asking her to connect on Zalo to verify a purchased item. Shortly after, she received a video call, but the caller was wearing a police uniform and informed her that she was involved in drug trafficking and money laundering. The caller showed her a scene of a handcuffed man surrounded by people in police uniforms.
The student insisted she was not involved. The "police officer" then demanded she install Zoom Workplace and log in with a specific code for "internal work." She was also instructed to transfer money to "the investigative agency's secure account" as proof of her innocence. During this time, she was ordered to stay in a hotel room and avoid all contact with others. The "officer" promised to return the money once the investigation confirmed her funds were not linked to criminal activity.
When the student said she had no money to transfer, the "police" instructed her to deceive her family, saying she needed money for "financial proof" to participate in an international exchange program in the US. She complied, and her family transferred over 800 million VND. The student then transferred the entire amount to the "investigative agency's account".
According to the investigation, the impersonator then demanded the student's Zalo and Facebook login information. After gaining control of her accounts, they contacted her family, staging a "kidnapping" and demanding a 200 million VND ransom. Unable to contact their daughter, the family believed she had been kidnapped and reported the incident to the police.
The Ho Chi Minh City Police Department has recently rescued several victims of "online kidnapping"—a new scam targeting students and young people with limited life experience.
According to the Ho Chi Minh City Police Department, criminal gangs often impersonate police, prosecutors, or court officials, making threatening phone calls to victims and demanding money transfers for "cooperation with the investigation." Some victims are even instructed to isolate themselves, rent hotel rooms, or install unfamiliar apps, leading to psychological manipulation.
The police department confirms they never conduct investigations or demand money transfers over the phone. All official business is conducted through formal invitations to police headquarters.
Citizens are advised not to provide personal information, bank account details, or OTP codes to anyone over the phone and to ignore requests for isolation, hotel rentals, or installing unknown apps. If suspicious, they should calmly hang up, call 113, or report the incident to the nearest police station.
Parents and schools should proactively remind students—the primary target group—not to follow any instructions received over the phone.
Quoc Thang
