The Ho Chi Minh City police have issued a warning about online scams targeting people seeking overseas employment opportunities, particularly in Australia and South Korea.

These fraudulent schemes have become increasingly common, leaving many victims deceived and financially harmed.

How the scam works

Scammers use platforms such as Facebook and Zalo to create fake accounts and groups. They often impersonate government agencies, using official-looking logos, images of leaders, and symbols such as the national emblem.

These accounts and pages post advertisements claiming to recruit workers, students, or trainees for overseas employment or study opportunities.

Examples of these fraudulent pages include names like “Overseas Employment Consulting Center – Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs” or “Asian Overseas Employment Consultancy.”

Scammers forge documents with fake signatures of officials from the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs or its affiliated organizations. These documents, accompanied by images of ministry leaders purportedly meeting with foreign partners, are used to gain victims' trust.

When individuals search for information online, they are often directed to these fake pages. Once contact is established, scammers impersonate officials and provide fake recruitment notices, requesting personal information for “application processing.”

Shortly after, victims receive fake “Selection Notices” bearing forged signatures and stamps to convince them of the program’s legitimacy.

Financial exploitation

Victims are then instructed to pay fees, taxes, and insurance through bank accounts registered under shell companies or accounts with names similar to legitimate service providers.

In some cases, the scammers use personal bank accounts under names matching those of authorized company officials to make their operations appear genuine.

Once payments are made, the scammers block all communication with their victims, leaving them unable to recover their funds.

The Ho Chi Minh City police advise citizens to exercise caution when seeking overseas employment or study opportunities. Key recommendations include:

Contact licensed agencies directly: Ensure you are dealing with official employment centers or licensed service providers.

Verify payment processes: Only pay fees directly at authorized agencies after signing contracts, and always request proper receipts and documentation.

Be wary of online offers: Avoid engaging with social media accounts, groups, or advertisements that lack transparency or verification.

Avoid unknown links: Do not click on suspicious links or download attachments from unknown sources, as they may contain malware.

As of now, 64 licensed companies and branches in Ho Chi Minh City are authorized to offer overseas employment services. Citizens are encouraged to refer to the official website of the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs for accurate information on legitimate programs.

The police also urge citizens to report any suspicious individuals, organizations, or online accounts to local authorities to prevent further scams.

Dam De