Scam offering '50% early payment discount for traffic fines' to steal bank accounts

Scammers exploit public anxiety by sending texts offering a "50% discount for early traffic fine payment" to lure people into clicking links and stealing money from their bank accounts.

Hanoi Police recently issued a crime warning, describing a complex and sophisticated scam designed to defraud individuals.

The scam involves perpetrators impersonating police or traffic police. They send SMS messages or use other communication methods to inform drivers of outstanding traffic fines.

These messages contain links leading to fake websites. These sites are meticulously designed to mimic the National Public Service Portal or official government agency pages, aiming to build trust and mislead individuals.

Scammers induce panic by urging recipients to follow instructions, promising a "50% discount for early payment" and threatening "increased fines if payment is not made within 48 hours."

The ultimate goal is to steal banking information. Hanoi Police warn that victims accessing these fake websites are prompted to log into their bank accounts, input card details, passwords, or one-time passwords (OTP). Once this information is provided, scammers immediately exploit it to siphon funds from the accounts.

Police authorities emphasize that officials never request individuals to pay fines or provide bank account information, passwords, or one-time passwords (OTP) through links sent from unknown messages.

To prevent falling victim to these scams, individuals should verify traffic violation information exclusively through official channels: the VNeID app, VNeTraffic, the official website of the Traffic Police Department, the National Public Service Portal, or the Ministry of Public Security's Public Service Portal.

Never provide passwords, one-time passwords (OTP), card information, or transfer money based on requests from unknown messages, calls, or links. If you suspect fraud or have already provided information or completed transactions as instructed by "fake police," immediately contact your bank to block your account.