On 7/2, the Tuyen Quang Provincial Police's Criminal Police Department announced the prosecution of 9 individuals from Ha Noi and Hung Yen. They face charges related to making and selling fake documents, and using computer and telecommunication networks, along with electronic devices, to illegally appropriate property.

Police revealed the group forged various Vietnamese and foreign identity documents, including citizen identification cards, driver's licenses, passports, and social security cards. They then established fake facebook pages to facilitate their scheme, targeting users both domestically and abroad.

Forged personal documents. *Photo courtesy of Tuyen Quang Provincial Police*

The group's primary method involved leveraging social media platforms to disseminate over 15 million messages containing fake links to facebook and instagram accounts. When users clicked these links and entered their login credentials, the fraudsters harvested the data. This stolen information was then used to create forged documents, enabling them to impersonate victims during identity verification processes. Finally, the group gained unauthorized access and took control of the compromised accounts.

Tuyen Quang Police characterized the case as serious, noting its substantial impact on cybersecurity, social order, and citizens' legal rights and interests.

Police urged the public to avoid buying, selling, or exchanging fake documents online and to refrain from clicking suspicious links. To safeguard online accounts, users should: use strong, regularly updated passwords; activate two-factor authentication (2FA) to minimize hijacking risks; and routinely review their account login history for any unusual activity.