On 4/10, the Ho Chi Minh City Criminal Police Department (PC02) announced it had coordinated with Linh Xuan Ward Police to rescue a second-year male student found alone in a hotel in the area.

The student stated he received a call from someone claiming to be "Hanoi City Police", informing him he was involved in a money laundering ring and demanding he join a Zoom call and transfer money to "prove his income".

Fearing repercussions, the student pawned his motorbike and computer, and borrowed money through various applications, totaling 95 million VND. He subsequently transferred over 90 million VND to two designated accounts.

Police found the male student at the hotel. *Photo: Xuan Minh*

The group impersonating "Hanoi City Police" further instructed him to rent a hotel room, isolate himself, and avoid contact with others. From there, they guided him to call and message his family, claiming he had been granted a scholarship to study in the US and demanding 800 million VND as "proof of funds".

Following these instructions, the student repeatedly urged his family to transfer the money. Noticing unusual signs, his relatives reported the incident to the police.

Recently, police forces have repeatedly rescued victims of "online kidnappings". Victims are often targeted by imposters posing as police, prosecutors, or court officials, who inform them of involvement in a case, then demand secrecy, instruct them to cut off contact with relatives, and find a place to stay alone. Once victims comply, the scam group continues to demand money transfers or instructs them to call family for funds.

Messages the male student sent to his family, announcing a scholarship. *Photo: Xuan Minh*

Pham Hai