The Da Nang Department of Police is issuing a warning to the public after an increase in scams where residents are telephoned or sent messages via Zalo falsely claiming to be from the municipal Criminal Investigation Department.

Scammers trick members of the public by suggesting to the person they’re calling that that they could be arrested due to being suspected of being involved in an offence, and ask for an amount from the victims in order to help them avoid police investigation. 

On 4 January, for instance, the Da Nang police received a complaint from a man residing in Ha Noi’s Dong Da District about a scam.

The complainer said he had received a fraudulent phone call during which the fraudster claiming to be a Da Nang police officer asked him to attend in person at the headquarters of the municipal of Police Department located at 80 Le Loi. Soon after, an appearance notice was sent to him via his Zalo account.

The fake summon stated that between February and August 2016, the Ha Noi man had his medical examinations conducted at the Da Nang General Hospital and the Hoan My  Hospital, and received a total of 260 boxes of Trapadol synthetic painkillers there. Accordingly, the man was suspected of using these painkillers to synthesise synthetic drugs.

If he failed to show up at the police office, a total of 46.8 million VND, worth of 260 boxes of Trapadol would have been withdrawn from his bank account.

Likewise, another victim from Tay Ninh Provice, has complained about a fake arrest warrant sent via Zalo. 

These callers have no connection with the municipal Criminal Investigation Department. Fraudsters have already tricked and harassed some victims into handing over a large of money.

The Da Nang police is warning the public not to pass on personal details or conduct money transfers to such callers. In case of any suspicious acts or requests from such callers, please report to the local police.