Bui Viet Ha, Chairman of the Mang Den Tourism Association, stated that tourist scams involving hotel bookings in Mang Den are not new. This situation "frequently occurs on weekends and during holidays, when demand for accommodation is high", negatively impacting the local tourism image.
According to Ha, the scammers' tactic involves creating multiple fake social media accounts, posting photos of guesthouses, hotels, and homestays, then using different phone numbers and bank accounts to trick guests into transferring money. A common characteristic of these fraudulent pages is offering room rates 30-50% cheaper than the market, along with special offers and convenient room locations. These individuals then join tourism-related fan pages and groups to identify potential customers, proactively contact them, provide enthusiastic advice, and send numerous photos to build trust and engage with guests.
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Mang Den, a popular tourist destination in recent years. *Duc Hoa*
A representative for Mountain Lodge Mang Den hotel reported that dozens of guests were scammed into booking through a fake "Mountain Lodge Mang Den Hotel" page. The hotel's website content was identically copied by the perpetrators; moreover, the fake pages actively posted content, garnering twice the engagement and followers of the legitimate page.
Beyond Mountain Lodge, many other accommodations in Mang Den have also reported guests being defrauded using similar methods. Despite hotels and homestays continuously posting warnings, the fake pages persist in running advertisements, making it difficult for tourists to distinguish between legitimate and fraudulent sites.
The scammed amounts in some cases can reach tens of millions of VND, according to a hotel in Mang Den. Many victims only discovered they were defrauded upon arrival to check in and contacting the accommodation, realizing their deposit had been transferred to a fraudulent account.
According to the Mang Den Communal People's Committee, during the 5-day National Day holiday on 2/9, the locality attracted approximately 50,000 visitors for sightseeing, relaxation, and experiences. The entire commune currently has about 170 accommodation establishments with approximately 1,800 rooms.
Local authorities determined that the scammers do not reside in Mang Den but operate from other locations. The Communal People's Committee has gathered information, collaborated with the police and relevant agencies for resolution, and simultaneously intensified public awareness campaigns, advising tourists to exercise caution and thoroughly verify accommodation details before transferring deposit money.
Beyond Mang Den, other popular tourist destinations such as Nha Trang and Da Lat have also seen numerous cases of tourists being defrauded when booking hotels through fake websites. Officials in these localities have repeatedly issued warnings to tourists regarding online booking transactions via social media.
Tuan Anh
