The police in Phu Tho province have recently alerted citizens about a money transfer scam that has been circulating through social media. The scam involves individuals posing as foreigners who claim to have sent gifts to victims in Vietnam, requesting money for customs fees to release these gifts.

In a recent incident, a woman named Pham Thi Loan from Ha Hoa district was approached by a scammer via social media. The scammer provided detailed information about a supposed gift and requested that she transfer money to cover customs procedures. Trusting the information, Loan proceeded to transfer 25 million VND to the scammer's account through LPBank in Ha Hoa.

Fortunately, bank staff noticed irregularities during the transaction and promptly contacted the local police for verification. Their intervention allowed Loan to recognize the signs of a scam and halt the transaction before any further loss occurred.

This type of scam, where fraudsters impersonate foreigners to solicit money for fictitious gifts, is not new but continues to catch many off guard. The police have advised the public to be cautious and avoid transferring money to unknown individuals without verifying their identity and the legitimacy of the request.

Citizens are encouraged to check with shipping companies, authorities, or banks when receiving notifications about gifts, money, or goods from abroad. They should also refrain from sharing personal banking information, passwords, or any sensitive data with unverified contacts. If suspicious activity is detected, it is crucial to keep records of messages, phone numbers, and any related documentation to assist law enforcement in their investigations.

According to the Ministry of Public Security's electronic information portal, this warning serves as a reminder for people to remain vigilant against scams that exploit the allure of gifts and financial gain.