I have recently come across numerous Facebook ads promoting competitions in math, English, and art, but I initially found them irrelevant. However, with new regulations requiring secondary school admissions to be based solely on academic records, I began to grow anxious about how my daughter could stand out among peers with increasingly polished school profiles.
While exploring options, I came across a post advertising an English Olympiad competition. Having invested in my daughter’s English education from an early age, I believed she would excel in such a competition. I contacted the page via Messenger to inquire about registration, and the representative provided a brief overview of the process.
When I learned that the district-level round had already concluded on Jan. 11, I said I would wait for next year. The representative insisted, "You can still register now, and your child can take the test tomorrow." This raised concerns, and I questioned, "How can she compete at the district level without participating in the school-level round?"
Despite my doubts, the representative reassured me that registration would take only 15–20 minutes and sent a link with a registration code. Following the instructions, I completed the online registration. Moments later, I was asked, "Have you installed the Telegram app? The organizers use it to verify participant information, provide study materials, and facilitate exam participation."
At this point, I was certain it was a scam. I immediately blocked the page and reported it as "suspected fraud" to Facebook and Vietnam’s cybersecurity platform.
I assumed that installing Telegram and following their instructions would compromise my bank account.
Upon closer inspection, I noticed the fake page had copied content and images from the legitimate competition website, making it nearly indistinguishable.
These scams often use phishing links to steal passwords and banking details from victims who input their information. Scammers then request additional personal details, such as full names, birth dates, ID numbers, emails, and phone numbers, to further exploit victims.
Fortunately, I avoided falling for the scheme.
However, other parents reported being added to private Telegram groups where they were pressured to purchase items. Initial purchases were inexpensive, with promises of cashback and bonuses. Over time, the required amounts escalated to millions or even tens of millions of VND (VND1 million = US$39). Victims were told transactions had failed and refunds would be processed later, but they needed to transfer more funds to keep their children in the competition. Once victims realized they had been scammed, they were removed from the groups, and all transaction histories were erased.
I hope this article serves as a cautionary reminder for social media users. Stay vigilant, avoid clicking suspicious links, and never share personal information with unverified sources. Refrain from spreading unverified information that could harm others.