On July 11, Hanoi Police announced that another victim who invested in stocks through the Abinvest app had been scammed out of VND 1.4 billion.
Through the Zalo social network, Ms. Q was approached by an individual claiming to be an employee of ABInvest. This person instructed her to set up an investment account with ABInvest via the website: https://dow.abinvest.top/, where she could use a “Bernstein” account. The scammer claimed that this account was used by organizations and “price manipulators” to place orders directly with the HNX and HOSE exchanges, bypassing brokerage firms. As a result, investors would not incur any fees and would be guided to profitable investments. These were deceptive offers crafted by the scammers to gain the trust of those unfamiliar with stock investing.
Enticed by these promises, Ms. Q installed the ABINVEST app and followed the instructions to set up and fund her investment account. She transferred a total of over VND 1.4 billion to the designated account. She then followed the scammer’s instructions to place buy/sell orders, assured that she would make a profit.
When Ms. Q wanted to withdraw her invested funds, the scammers informed her that she had violated the buy/sell rules and demanded a fee of VND 400 million to reactivate her account and allow withdrawals. It was at this point that she realized she had been scammed and reported the incident to the police.
Fake investment groups and communities have emerged on social media platforms like Facebook, Zalo, and Telegram, inviting people to join and invest in fraudulent stock and international e-commerce platforms. Many people have fallen victim to these scams due to their lack of caution and vigilance.
To avoid such scams, the Hanoi Police’s Department of Cyber Security and High-Tech Crime Prevention advises the public to be cautious of such schemes. If you wish to invest, it is recommended to go directly to authorized institutions to register and open an account, ensuring the legitimacy of your investments.
Additionally, be wary of requests to send money or participate in financial transactions of unclear origin. Scammers often lure victims with promises of high returns or attractive investment opportunities. If you encounter any signs of fraud, contact the police immediately for timely resolution.
