Avoid the “Paying for a Room but No Stay” Scam When Booking Hotels in Vung Tau for the September 2nd Holiday

Fake hotel fan pages offering surprisingly cheap deals have been popping up on travel groups recently, scamming unsuspecting customers. These pages mimic legitimate hotel brands, offering attractive discounts and requesting deposits ranging from 30% to 100% of the room rate. However, as soon as they receive the money, they block all communication, leaving victims frustrated and out of pocket.

Mr. V. from Ho Chi Minh City narrowly escaped this scam. “I was planning a family trip to Vung Tau for the upcoming holiday and came across a fan page offering a night at a 4-star hotel for only VND 1.5 million. Suspicious of the deal, I called the hotel’s official number and discovered that the fan page was a scam,” he shared.

Unfortunately, Ms. N.M.T from Dong Nai wasn’t as fortunate. She booked two rooms for her family at what she believed was a reputable 4-star hotel, with tens of thousands of followers, luxurious images, and enticing discounts. The scammers were quick to respond, sending room photos and buffet menus, and requesting a VND 3 million deposit. Assuming that a well-known hotel wouldn’t deceive her, she transferred the money, only to later discover it was a scam.

This scam is not new, according to accommodation providers in Vung Tau. A representative of Ngoc Hanh Hotel on Thuy Van street shared, “Our hotel’s fan page has been impersonated numerous times. Many guests have fallen victim to these scams, transferring large sums of money, only to realize their mistake when they arrive at the hotel. In some cases, scammers even send fake links to gain control of victims’ phones and empty their bank accounts.”

Malibu Vung Tau Hotel also confirmed similar incidents and advised guests to book through reputable platforms or call their officially listed phone number for verification.

The consequences of these scams go beyond financial loss. Some families found themselves stranded in Vung Tau, having to settle for smaller, less desirable accommodations far from the beach, simply because they couldn’t afford to miss out on their summer vacation plans.

To avoid falling prey to these scams, the People’s Committee of Vung Tau recommends booking through official channels. Contact hotels directly or use verified websites and applications, rather than relying solely on social media profiles that lack legal information.

Before transferring any money, cross-reference contact details from multiple sources and request an official invoice or booking confirmation with complete information. It’s also advisable to pay deposits into the hotel’s or business owner’s bank account, avoiding personal accounts of unknown individuals.