Hanoi man searching for female escorts on Telegram scammed out of $135,000

A 30-year-old man from Hanoi's Ha Dong District recently fell victim to an online scam, losing over VND3.5 billion. The man accessed Telegram on April 29, looking for explicit content and became curious about female escort services. He joined a group that claimed to offer such services.
The group administrators told him to deposit money to activate a membership card, promising he would earn commissions. Believing the promise, the man transferred over VND3.5 billion based on the group's instructions. However, he was unable to withdraw any of the promised commissions.
When the man was asked to complete more tasks to withdraw the money, he realized he had been scammed. Understanding the situation, he reported the incident to the police. The authorities have since warned the public about engaging in illicit activities and joining forums or groups related to explicit content online.
The police have also cautioned people about dealing with financial issues with strangers. They advise against paying money online or participating in financial transactions with unclear origins, especially when promises of high returns or attractive investment opportunities are involved.
To avoid falling victim to similar scams, people are advised to only transfer money when they are certain about the recipient's identity. They should also refrain from sending money to strangers, even if they claim to be working with the police, prosecutor's office, courts, or banks.
When encountering suspicious links, individuals should not click on them or install apps from unknown sources. By being vigilant and cautious, people can protect themselves from online scams and financial losses.