“Cybercrime: The Ever-Evolving Threat and Proactive Measures”
At the regular Government press conference for August, held in Hanoi on September 7, 2024, Brigadier General Hoang Anh Tuyen, Deputy Chief of Staff and Spokesperson of the Ministry of Public Security, provided insights into the complex nature of fraud and asset appropriation crimes that have plagued the nation in recent times. Specifically, he highlighted a surge in such incidents during August, with 815 cases reported nationwide, marking an increase of over 11% and accounting for nearly 16% of all crimes. Notably, online fraud constituted a significant portion, amounting to nearly 55% of total fraud and asset appropriation offenses.
The perpetrators of these crimes employ a myriad of deceptive tactics, including impersonating government agencies, tax and banking organizations, and even the police, to dupe unsuspecting individuals. They also create fake websites mimicking prominent corporations, companies, and well-known brands to attract investments and recruit personnel. Additionally, they establish fraudulent Facebook pages bearing the logos of reputable universities to scam individuals out of their tuition and other fees.
Brigadier General Tuyen revealed the discovery of large-scale operations with comprehensive manuals and step-by-step instructions designed to entrap unsuspecting individuals in the virtual world. These criminals exploit modern applications, technologies, and tools to carry out their illicit activities, operating clandestinely and leaving minimal traces. Their operations are often organized, but communication and connections are made solely through the anonymous realm of cyberspace, without any physical interactions or direct exchanges.
Addressing countermeasures, Brigadier General Tuyen referred to the Prime Minister’s directive (Directive No. 21/CT-TTg) issued in 2020, which focuses on enhancing prevention and handling of fraud and asset appropriation crimes, particularly those perpetrated in cyberspace. The implementation of this directive has centered on two key aspects.
Firstly, on the front of prevention, the Ministry of Public Security has prioritized awareness campaigns. The Cyber Security and High-Tech Crime Prevention unit maintains an active presence on three popular social media platforms: Facebook, Tiktok, and Zalo, leveraging these channels to disseminate critical information about cybercrimes. During August 2024, the Ministry’s official portal and those of its units and local departments published over 500 articles and notices warning about crimes, with a particular focus on fraud-related incidents.
Brigadier General Tuyen commended the proactive role played by vigilant citizens and financial institutions in thwarting potential scams. He cited instances where individuals, about to fall prey to fraudsters, were prevented from transferring money by vigilant bank staff.
Additionally, the Ministry of Public Security has been collaborating with other ministries and sectors to plug loopholes that criminals might exploit. Joint efforts with the Ministry of Information and Communications have led to successful crackdowns on illegal SIM card usage, ensuring that subscribers are the rightful users of their phone numbers. Collaboration with the banking sector has resulted in enhanced measures to counter fraudulent accounts.
The spokesperson also praised the banking sector’s recent initiative to implement biometric verification for transactions exceeding 20 million VND, noting that such proactive measures are already showing positive results in curbing cyber fraud and asset appropriation crimes. Furthermore, the National Cyber Security Association has recently introduced software designed to detect and alert users about potential online scams, providing a valuable tool for crime prevention.
Secondly, regarding proactive measures, the Ministry of Public Security has launched numerous initiatives and plans to intensify investigations and ensure stringent legal proceedings against cyber fraud. They have been scrutinizing and disabling suspicious websites and social media accounts impersonating official entities. From March 2024 to August 2024, over 400,000 websites and social media accounts suspected of being involved in online fraud were neutralized.
Moreover, the Ministry has invested in scientific and technological advancements to swiftly trace illicit funds and temporarily freeze assets linked to fraudulent activities.
To bolster prevention and deterrence of fraud, especially online scams, Brigadier General Tuyen appealed to media outlets to disseminate information that would raise awareness and foster a sense of vigilance among the public. He also urged citizens to stay informed about crime alerts, heighten their vigilance, and exercise caution when receiving calls or messages from unknown sources claiming to represent government agencies or requesting personal information for alleged investigations.
Sure, I can assist with that.
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