Woman found spreading fake news, urging SCB withdrawals

HCMC police called this woman up Wednesday after she posted what they said was fake news on Facebook, advising people to withdraw money from SCB, spreading anxiety and insecurity among the bank’s customers.

The unidentified woman has admitted to posting false information, deleted her personal Facebook posts and pledged not to do it again, police said.

The police also said they were collecting more information on the case. They called on organizations and individuals not to post, share, distribute or comment in agreement with fake news and false information that can have adverse impacts on society.

Since last Saturday, people have been crowding SCB branches to withdraw their money after rumors spread on social media about the bank’s functioning.

SCB has emphasized that Truong My Lan, chairwoman of property developer Van Thinh Phat Group, who was arrested for alleged fraud related to the issuance and trading of bonds worth trillions of dong (VND1 trillion = $41.87 million), does not hold any managerial or executive position at the bank.

It also noted that the An Dong Investment Corporation, a real estate firm under the Van Thinh Phat Group, which is linked to Truong My Lan’s violations in the issuance and trading of bonds, was not a shareholder of the bank.

The bank further said the above-mentioned cases have not affected its normal operations, assuring customers that it has adequate solutions and resources to ensure the rights and interests of its depositors as well as partners and customers.