Mai Phuong, from Da Nang, became suspicious when her sister boasted about booking a 5-star Hanoi hotel room near the parade route for just over 1 million VND. "I contacted the hotel, and they said they had no record of my sister's booking," Phuong said.
Phuong's sister, Ly, a teacher at a Ho Chi Minh City center, decided to spend the 2/9 holiday in Hanoi to watch the parade instead of returning to Da Nang with her family. She booked her flight in mid-July but hadn't found a suitable hotel in Hanoi by mid-August. While searching on social media, she found someone offering a 5-star Hanoi hotel room at 30% off the price on Booking. Ly quickly transferred the full payment, only to be blocked by the account afterward. "That's when I realized I had been scammed," Ly said, resigned to losing her money.
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A tourist was scammed by a fake Dolce by Wyndham Hanoi Golden Lake fanpage. Photo: Hotel provided |
A tourist was scammed by a fake Dolce by Wyndham Hanoi Golden Lake fanpage. Photo: Hotel provided
The Dolce by Wyndham Hanoi Golden Lake, opposite Giang Vo Lake, recently warned about scams using fake social media accounts. Ha Thu Hien, the hotel's media representative, said they received reports from several victims who provided proof of money transfers to scammers, with some losing 4 to 5 million VND. "Any requests for bank transfers or deposits through a fanpage are scams," she stated, emphasizing that legitimate transactions are only conducted through the official website, email, or directly by the sales department.
Tourists are advised to book through reputable platforms like Booking.com, Agoda, Traveloka, or established travel agencies.
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The Dolce by Wyndham Hanoi Golden Lake is located opposite Giang Vo Lake. Photo: Booking |
The Dolce by Wyndham Hanoi Golden Lake is located opposite Giang Vo Lake. Photo: Booking
Pham Anh Vu, General Director of Viet Travel, noted that tourism scams have existed for a long time but are becoming more sophisticated. Fake images and information, including photos of hotel rooms and booking contracts, look authentic.
To avoid being scammed during peak seasons or special holidays, tourists should carefully verify the source of booking information and be wary of excessive discounts. They should also be cautious when dealing with unknown individuals or transferring money through unfamiliar links. Before transferring any money, it's recommended to call the hotel directly to confirm the booking number, code, and payment details through the official hotline.
If you suspect or have been scammed, stay calm and gather all evidence, including transfer receipts, messages, emails, and transaction screenshots. Immediately contact the hotel, your bank, and report the incident to local authorities for assistance.
"We need to be wary of unbelievably cheap deals, as quality services rarely come at low prices," Vu said.
Phuong Anh
