Hai Phong prevents many cases with signs of "online kidnapping" fraud

Recently, the Hai Phong City Police force has promptly prevented many cases with signs of “online kidnapping” fraud; determining the main cause comes from subjective psychology, lack of vigilance, while the “scenario” of fraud is increasingly elaborately staged, changing frequently.

Authorities brought NTA in Tan Hung ward ( Hai Phong ) home safely. (Photo: Hai Phong City Police)

Typically, at around 10:30 a.m. on September 3, Tan Hung Ward Police (Hai Phong) received a report that NTA, born in 2007, residing in Tan Hung Ward (Hai Phong), had left home without permission and sent a text message asking his family to transfer 350 million VND to pay off his debt, otherwise he would go to Cambodia to work.

Through initial verification, the ward police found signs of an “online kidnapping” when NTA was controlled by a group of strangers via the Zalo application; during the trip to Bac Ninh , NTA attacked the taxi driver to escape.

Tan Hung Ward Police coordinated with local forces to organize a search; during that time, NTA was continuously forced to text home asking for money transfer, accompanied by threats.

Realizing the seriousness of the case, the Ward Police reported to the Criminal Police Department of Hai Phong City Police to coordinate the implementation of professional measures.

At around 6:30 p.m. the same day, the working group discovered NTA at a motel in Bai Chay Ward ( Quang Ninh ) in a state of panic. Afterwards, NTA was brought home safely and encouraged to stabilize his mental state.

Previously, Thach Khoi Ward Police (Hai Phong) also successfully prevented a fraud case using the form of "online kidnapping".

Specifically, at around 10:30 a.m. on September 2, HMK, born in 2007, residing in Thach Khoi Ward (Hai Phong), was at home when he received a call from the phone number 039271xxxx. After answering the phone, the subject asked the child to add him as a friend on Zalo and made a video call with an image impersonating a police officer.

During the call, the subject informed that HMK was involved in a money laundering case because he had “sold personal information” for 350 million VND; the subject asked the child to go to Ho Chi Minh City to work, or if he could not go, he had to transfer 350 million VND to “settle the matter”.

When HMK said he had no money, the subject instructed him to rent a motel and call home with the fake content of being kidnapped, asking his family to transfer money. Out of fear, the child took a motorbike to a motel in Bac Ninh city as instructed, rented a room and texted his mother according to the content the subject had prepared, asking her not to tell anyone and not to report to the police.

However, thanks to being informed about the scams before, HMK's mother noticed unusual signs and immediately reported them to the Thach Khoi Ward Police. The Thach Khoi Ward Police coordinated with the family to contact, inform, and guide HMK many times; by about 8:00 p.m. the same day, the child realized his behavior and returned home safely.

At the end of August 2025, the Hoa Binh Ward Police (Hai Phong) rescued a male student in Hoa Binh Ward who fell into an "online kidnapping" scam after receiving a report from Ms. Nguyen Thi Th, born in 1987, residing in residential group 7, Hoa Binh Ward (Hai Phong), about her son, Tran M.Th, born in 2007, showing signs of being suspected of being kidnapped.

According to Ms. Th.'s report, at around 10:00 a.m. on August 27, Tran M.Th. drove a motorbike away from home; about 30 minutes later, Ms. Th. received a call asking the family to pay ransom to release Th. At the same time, many strange phone numbers continuously called, threatening to cut off the child's arms and legs if the family did not transfer the money.

Immediately after receiving the information, Hoa Binh Ward Police urgently checked the security camera system in the area and discovered Tran M.Th.'s motorbike at a motel in Bach Dang Ward (Hai Phong). From the camera data at the motel and the surrounding area, the authorities determined that Th. left the motel, got into a car with an unknown license plate and headed towards Thuy Nguyen Ward (Hai Phong).

Determining the case to be complicated and related to the “online kidnapping” method, Hoa Binh Ward Police immediately reported to the Criminal Police Department of Hai Phong City Police for coordination and guidance. The Criminal Police Department of the City Police sent a working group to coordinate with Hoa Binh Ward Police to deploy professional measures, conduct verification, and investigate to clarify the case.

During the working process, the working group analyzed and discussed with Th.’s family about the methods and tricks of the “online kidnapping” crime; thanks to that, the family was able to contact Th. via phone and Zalo to explain and clearly inform about the tricks of the scammers, and persuade her to stop following all instructions on the chat group. As a result, Th. returned home safely, her health was not affected.

Through investigation and verification, Th. was called by a person impersonating a police officer, "assigned" to be involved in two cases of drugs and illegal trading of personal data. This person asked Th. to pay 200 million VND to have the above charges cleared; at the same time, he was asked to access a chat group on social networks, and to video monitor him 24/7.

Because he was so scared, Th. followed all the subject's requests, including: reporting all his daily activities; texting his family to deal with it; going to the motel himself, then downloading the technology car booking application, and moving to the indicated locations. Fortunately, the incident was promptly stopped by the police and his family.

According to Hai Phong City Police, cyber fraud is becoming increasingly sophisticated and unpredictable; Internet fraud not only causes property damage but also threatens people's health and lives. Although many media channels and management agencies have continuously issued warnings, many people still fall into the "trap" of fraud.

Through the above cases, Hai Phong City Police recommends that people need to grasp information disseminated by the Ward, Commune and Special Zone Police about fraud; raise vigilance against fraud tricks, especially the form of impersonating authorities to carry out "online kidnapping".

People need to stay calm when receiving information about a relative being “kidnapped”, absolutely do not transfer money as requested by the subject; immediately contact the local police agency for support; at the same time, be vigilant with strange calls, requests to record videos, take photos or move unusually.

XUAN TRUONG

Source: https://nhandan.vn/hai-phong-ngan-chan-nhieu-vu-viec-co-dau-hieu-lua-dao-bat-coc-online-post906479.html