In a concerning trend, nearly 20 individuals in Thanh Hoa have reported incidents of blackmail involving manipulated sensitive videos and images. The local police department has confirmed that victims were threatened with the release of these fabricated materials unless they paid substantial sums of money, with some demands reaching as high as 1.5 billion VND.

On October 4, the Cybersecurity and High-Tech Crime Prevention Department of Thanh Hoa Police revealed that they had received multiple reports from victims who were targeted by blackmailers using advanced technology to create fake videos. These videos were then sent to the victims along with threats of public disclosure if the demanded payments were not made.

The blackmailers appear to be specifically targeting government officials and employees, including local leaders, exploiting their fears regarding reputational damage and job security to pressure them into complying with payment demands. Despite the fact that such tactics are not new, the use of technology to fabricate sensitive content has left many feeling anxious and vulnerable to falling into these traps.

Thanks to timely intervention and guidance from local law enforcement, many potential victims have recognized the fraudulent schemes and refrained from sending money. The police have advised the public to remain calm when receiving threatening messages accompanied by sensitive images or videos, emphasizing that the content may not be genuine and could easily be manipulated.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Xuan Toan, Deputy Head of the Cybersecurity and High-Tech Crime Prevention Department, urged citizens to be cautious when using social media. He recommended limiting the sharing of personal information and images that could be misused, avoiding interactions with unknown accounts, and refraining from clicking on suspicious links. In the event of receiving threatening messages or sensitive content, individuals should remain calm, avoid confrontation, and report the matter to the police for assistance and verification.