25/12/2024 at 00:42 (GMT+7)
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Ministry warns consumers about fake brands online

The Authority of Information Security (AIS) under the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) has warned that scammers are using the names and images of major enterprises and brands to create fake sale promotions.
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Many Facebook account owners last week accessed an ad impersonating the Samsung brand on the SamCenter Viet Nam fanpage, which said a new retail point would be inaugurated and a sale promotion program would be launched with 5,000 Buds 2 Pro available with a 70 percent discount.

On the following days, the fake fanpage once again posted information, and after hours, 5,000 products were sold.

AIS said the fake fanpage was designed professionally. Scammers even created many comments which said “products delivered’ and gave ratings about product quality on the fake fanpage.

AIS stressed that impersonation and swindling are occurring regularly online.

Also in September, some social network users received a message which said consumers would receive presents from Adidas on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the company's establishment, and gave an URL for users to log in.

In June, similar messages were sent to social network users which invited people to join the Coca-Cola welfare fund to get gifts and bonuses such as a Rolex watch on the anniversary of its establishment.

Scammers, exploiting typhoon Yagi and floods in the north, have launched fake sale promotions and called on people to buy goods to donate to flood-stricken people, to appropriate people’s assets.

Scammers created websites similar to famous brands and donor organizations, and then provided information about sales programs to call for donations.

They also used forged social network accounts and posted ads about sale promotions, encouraging people to buy goods and commit to use part of their revenue for a charity.

AIS has recommended that people be vigilant online, stressing that scammers forge brands and enterprises to trick people out of money.

In most cases, they send links with information about sales and gifts and tell people to provide information about their personal Facebook page, bank accounts and other important information to appropriate victims’ assets.

Consumers have been told to be cautious about sale programs, stressing that sale promotions are only on companies’ official websites. If they have doubts about sale promotions, they should contact the companies’ call centers for clarification.

VNN