On 4/12, Nam Dong Ha Ward Police in Quang Tri supported an 18-year-old man, a resident of Mau Due commune, Tuyen Quang province, in returning home safely after several days of no contact with his family.

The young man recounted meeting a girl online in the South. After a period of messaging, the two "dated online". To meet his girlfriend, in late November, he rode his motorcycle from Tuyen Quang to the South. During his journey, he ran out of money and could not make phone calls.

He went without food for two days. Upon arriving in Nam Dong Ha ward, local police on patrol found him in a tired state, showing unusual signs. Brought to the station, police provided food, drink, and comfort. Subsequently, the police assisted with costs and means for the young man to contact his family and return home.

The young man received assistance from Nam Dong Ha Ward Police to return home. Photo: Police provided

His family stated that the young man had left home for many days without contact, causing them great worry. With police assistance, the young man returned home, and his relatives expressed gratitude to Nam Dong Ha Ward Police for their help.

In Quang Tri, in late November, the Bung – Van Ninh Expressway Operations Management Team of Vietnam Expressway Operation and Maintenance Joint Stock Company discovered an 18-year-old girl riding a bicycle on the expressway lane in Truong Ninh commune.

The management team stopped, approached, and removed her from the expressway. She could not recall her family's phone number and appeared disoriented, so she was taken to the Truong Ninh Commune Police station.

Speaking with the police, the girl said she had met someone online. This person frequently messaged her, then sent a location pin and arranged to meet. She stated that due to family troubles, she took her bicycle and left home to find this online acquaintance, then rode onto the expressway.

Truong Ninh Commune Police contacted her family, who picked her up and brought her home.

Quang Tri Provincial Police warned people not to trust invitations and promises from strangers online, especially "fleeting romantic" relationships via social media. These could be scams to appropriate property, kidnapping bait, human trafficking, or traps for illegal forced labor. Parents should enhance supervision and educate children on phone and social media use; promptly detect unusual signs to prevent situations where children run away from home.

Dac Thanh