Persistent Scam Calls Urging Vehicle Inspection Sticker Replacement
Recently, numerous residents in Nghe An have reported receiving calls demanding they replace their vehicle inspection stickers. Some individuals, lacking vigilance, followed the instructions and fell victim to financial scams.
Mr. Le Minh Tan (Truong Vinh Ward) serves as a prime example. Impersonating vehicle inspection officials, scammers called him, claiming he would face penalties if he failed to replace the sticker. They then instructed him to complete an online procedure and pay a “fee” of 6,000 VND. After Mr. Tan transferred the amount, the scammers promptly stole his OTP code and withdrew nearly 8 million VND from his account.
Leaders of vehicle inspection centers in Nghe An confirm there are no current policies or regulations regarding the replacement of inspection stickers. These centers also never call citizens to request such procedures.
Warning Against Vehicle Inspection Impersonation Scams
Scammers typically use unfamiliar phone numbers to call or send messages, posing as officials from the Department of Vehicle Inspection or local inspection units. Their messages primarily revolve around:
Many victims, fearing penalties or delays, transfer amounts ranging from a few hundred to several million VND into accounts designated by the scammers. However, after completing the transaction, they neither receive the promised inspection stickers nor can they re-establish contact with the scammers.
Notably, many scam numbers employ number spoofing technology, mimicking government hotline numbers to gain victims’ trust. Fake websites impersonating the Vietnam Register also feature professional designs, complete with logos and counterfeit information, making them difficult to distinguish without thorough verification.
The Vietnam Register confirms there are no current initiatives requiring citizens to replace valid inspection stickers. All official information is published on the Vietnam Register’s electronic information portal.
The sophisticated scam tactic of impersonating authorities to replace inspection stickers is a novel and widespread threat in the digital age. Heightening vigilance and proactively verifying information are the most effective measures to protect oneself and one’s assets in today’s digital era.
