The Da Nang International Fireworks Festival 2025 (DIFF 2025) is approaching, attracting the attention of millions of domestic and international tourists. Da Nang City Police have just issued an urgent warning about the complicated online fraud situation. Taking advantage of the heat and high demand for accommodation and event tickets, many high-tech criminals have been setting traps in cyberspace to appropriate people's property.
According to information from Da Nang City Police, scammers often apply increasingly sophisticated tricks. They focus on creating extremely attractive offers such as selling package tours, fireworks tickets or hotel rooms at prices much cheaper than the market. This information is widely posted on social networking platforms, targeting tourists' "deal hunting" mentality.
Da Nang City Police advise customers not to transfer deposits to unclear individuals/organizations.
After the "prey" takes the bait and expresses interest, the subjects will ask the victim to transfer a deposit of a portion of the value (usually from 30% to 50%) to "hold the place" or "complete the transaction". However, as soon as they receive the money, they will find enough reasons to refuse to refund or make excuses that the victim has provided insufficient information and then suddenly cut off all contact, leaving the victim with no way to reclaim the lost money.
The sophistication of the scams is further increased when criminals do not hesitate to fake websites and fanpages of reputable travel companies or even fake the official information page of the festival. These fake websites and fanpages are elaborately designed, easily confusing users.
Specifically, the subjects posted advertisements on social networks, inviting people to buy tours, fireworks tickets or book hotel rooms at preferential prices.
To create more trust, they also use fake receipts and invoices as proof of transactions, convincing buyers to transfer full payment. Immediately after the money is transferred to the account, the subjects will quickly block contact and erase all traces, making it extremely difficult to track.
These subjects take advantage of tourists' "cheap" mentality and lack of research to successfully commit fraud.
In the face of the complicated situation of online fraud, the Department of Cyber Security and High-Tech Crime Prevention, Da Nang City Police, especially recommends that people and tourists need to be extremely careful. Tourists should only book services from reputable units, always prioritize booking tours, hotel rooms, airline tickets and fireworks tickets from units with clear business licenses, licensed to operate legally and have many positive reviews from the user community. At the same time, be vigilant with "super cheap" offers, which are often a sign of scams.
Tourists need to join hands to raise vigilance to have a brilliant festival season.
Be especially careful when asked to transfer money via social media channels such as Facebook, Zalo if the identity and reliability of the recipient cannot be determined. And finally, always carefully check the website link, fanpage information, and contact phone number to ensure it is an official source, not a fake page.
When detecting unusual signs or suspecting fraud, promptly notify the nearest police station for timely support. The vigilance and prompt action of each individual will contribute to preventing and repelling the activities of fraudsters, helping DIFF 2025 take place successfully and safely.
