Scam Tactics Targeting Families of Newly Enlisted Soldiers

Police departments across multiple provinces have recently issued urgent warnings about a new fraud scheme targeting families of soldiers who have just begun their mandatory military service. Scammers are exploiting regulations that now allow soldiers to use mobile phones during rest hours.

Common Fraud Tactics

1. Impersonating Active-Duty Soldiers

Scammers use unfamiliar social media accounts and phone numbers, even employing AI deepfake technology to replicate the soldier's image and voice, to gain the family's trust and request money transfers.

2. Posing as Military Unit Officers

Fraudsters claim to be commanding officers at the soldier's unit, reporting emergencies like training accidents, severe illness, or disciplinary violations — all requiring immediate money transfers to "resolve."

3. Fabricating Emergency Situations

Scammers request money for "personal equipment purchases," "living condition upgrades," or "completing internal procedures." These are all unreasonable requests that military units NEVER make.

4. Hijacking Social Media Accounts

Fraudsters hack or take over the Facebook/Zalo accounts of soldiers or their relatives, then send messages borrowing money from the contact list.

How Scammers Gather Intelligence

Notably, scammers exploit personal information publicly shared on social media — enlistment day photos, unit assignments, training schedules, and family details — to add credibility to their scripts.

Police Recommendations

1. Don't rush to transfer money when receiving urgent calls/messages about your military-serving family member
2. Proactively verify information by contacting the soldier directly through known phone numbers or through their unit
3. Never provide personal information, bank accounts, or OTP codes to anyone
4. Limit public posting of personal information, schedules, and unit assignments on social media
5. Report immediately to the nearest police station if you suspect fraud or have been victimized