On 3/8, the Ho Chi Minh City Criminal Police Department announced the successful rescue of two students who had isolated themselves after falling victim to an "online kidnapping" scam. The police also prevented financial losses for their families.

Yesterday evening, the family of a 20-year-old student from Lam Dong province reported to the Dien Hong ward police (formerly District 10) that their son had been kidnapped. The criminals demanded a ransom of 600 million VND for the student's release.

The 20-year-old student was found by police in self-isolation at a hotel. Photo: Police Department

The 20-year-old student was found by police in self-isolation at a hotel. Photo: Police Department

Suspecting a scam, a special task force specializing in "online kidnapping" cases from the Criminal Police Department collaborated with local police to investigate. That same night, the student was found in a hotel room, distressed and frightened, complying with instructions from the "online investigator".

Upon being rescued, the student realized he had fallen prey to an online crime, manipulated and threatened. He recounted receiving a call from someone claiming to be an "officer from the Supreme People's Procuracy (SPP)". The caller recited his personal information, bank account details, and informed him that he was "involved in a money laundering ring". The caller threatened and instructed the student to cooperate with the "investigation" by maintaining constant contact and not telling anyone, or risk immediate arrest.

The student was instructed to move constantly, renting rooms at two different hotels. Throughout this ordeal, he transferred a total of 129 million VND to a "secure account" to prove his innocence. Simultaneously, his family received the 600 million VND ransom demand.

Also last night, the family of an 18-year-old student from Gia Dinh ward (formerly Binh Thanh district) reported their son missing, suspecting a kidnapping. Earlier, he had informed them about receiving a "scholarship to study in Australia" and requested 600 million VND for financial verification. When his family questioned him and refused to send the money, he ceased all communication.

The special task force from the Criminal Police Department tracked the student down to a hotel room.

The student told the police he received a call about a scholarship offer, requiring him to transfer 600 million VND as proof of funds. However, the criminals then switched tactics, accusing him of being involved in criminal activities and demanding money to prove his innocence. Frightened, the student transferred 2.1 million VND and isolated himself in a hotel room as instructed, where the police found him.

The 18-year-old student was found by police in a hotel room in Gia Dinh ward. Photo: Police Department

The 18-year-old student was found by police in a hotel room in Gia Dinh ward. Photo: Police Department

The special "online kidnapping" task force was established by the Ho Chi Minh City Criminal Police Department on 1/8, following a series of similar scams targeting students nationwide. This sophisticated new tactic combines technology and psychological manipulation to create panic and extort money.

The task force is responsible for receiving reports, coordinating with relevant authorities to swiftly investigate, track, and prevent such incidents, ensuring victims' safety as quickly as possible. If you encounter or suspect an "online kidnapping" case, please contact 0693.187.200 (PC02) or 028.3821.7080 (Team 2) for immediate assistance.

Investigators also warn about the common tactics employed by these criminals, which include impersonating police officers, prosecutors, or delivery drivers through phone calls or social media, sometimes even using video calls or Zoom Workplace along with fake summons. They claim the victim is involved in money laundering or drug trafficking, forcing them to participate in an "online investigation" under threat of arrest.

They then isolate the victims in rented rooms or hotels, cutting off all contact with family and friends. Some students are forced to tie themselves up or endure mock torture for videos used to extort hundreds of millions of VND from their families.

Quoc Thang