⚠️ Scammers in Asia: cards, currency exchange, fake sites
How not to lose money in Vietnam, Thailand and other countries.
Read also: Types of scams in Vietnam and how to avoid them
Why is Asia a paradise for scammers?
Asia isn't just about the beaches of Nha Trang and the skyscrapers of Ho Chi Minh City; it's also a magnet for scammers preying on tourists . In 2024, cybercrime in the Asia-Pacific region skyrocketed, increasing by 23%. Card and currency exchange scams remain among the top threats. From fake booking sites to fake currency exchange offices in Hanoi's back alleys, scammers know how to catch newbies.
Cybersecurity deserves special attention: Vietnam leads Southeast Asia in the number of brute-force attacks. In 2024, the number of such attacks in Vietnam reached nearly 20 million, accounting for 37% of all such incidents in the region .
LetFind.me has figured out how to protect your online wallet in Hanoi , Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Phuket, and Bali. Spoiler: double-check everything and keep your card close! 😎
🔍 Types of scams and how to avoid being scammed
Scammers in Asia are creative, but their schemes are repetitive. Here are the main traps and tips on how to avoid them:
📋 Fake e-visa websites
The Scheme: Scammers create clones of the official Vietnamese e-visa portal. They appear professional, copying the design and text. They charge $50–$150 for "assistance with the application," but issue invalid visas or simply disappear with the money.
Example: Tourists pay 5-10 times the official fee, receive a fake document and are turned away by border guards at the border.
How to avoid: Apply for a visa only through the official website – https://evisa.gov.vn/ . Check the URL manually in the address bar and do not click advertising links from Google or social media.
🏨 Fake Websites: Reservations and Tours
Scheme: Fake booking sites (for hotels, tours, and flights) copy the design of Booking.com or Agoda to steal your credit card information. This scheme is especially popular in Thailand and Indonesia.
Example: A tourist in Hoi An paid 5 million VND for a "Halong tour" through a one-day website, but the tour never took place.
How to avoid: Carefully check the URL (look for HTTPS and the official domain). Book through trusted platforms (Klook, Viator). Never enter card details on suspicious websites.
🎟️ "Urgent tour sale"
The scheme: A scammer posts on social media or messaging apps that he "bought a tour from a reputable agency, but can't go—he's selling it urgently with a 40% discount." He includes convincing fake receipts and screenshots of reviews as evidence. Small transactions go through normally (to build trust), after which the seller disappears with a large sum.
How to avoid: Be extremely cautious when purchasing tours from individuals via card transfers. Book only through agencies with a physical office, a license, and genuine reviews on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
📱 QR code substitution in cafes and restaurants
Scheme: In cafes, restaurants, and payment points, scammers place a fake QR code over the real one. Scanning it leads to one of two scenarios: a phishing page opens with a form for entering card details, or malware is secretly installed on the phone.
Example: In Vietnam, there have been cases where a fraudster photographed an establishment's QR code and used it to fake payment screenshots, pocketing money.
How to avoid: After scanning the QR code, always check the URL in your browser—it should match the establishment's name. If an unfamiliar website with a payment form opens, close it immediately. Ideally, ask the waiter to show you the real code or pay in cash.
🤖 Deepfake videos and AI voice calls
Scheme: This is one of the fastest-growing threats. Hanoi police have officially warned of an increase in AI-based attacks. The attackers:
They call with an AI-generated voice (simulating a bank employee, relative, or government official) and ask you to confirm information or transfer money.
They create deepfake videos of "celebrities" promoting cryptocurrency or dubious investment schemes.
They superimpose victims' faces onto compromising videos for subsequent blackmail.
Figures: AI-powered deception technologies are rapidly evolving. According to Kaspersky Lab experts, by 2025, cybercriminals are increasingly using deepfakes and voice cloning to steal sensitive data and bypass biometrics .
How to avoid: Never confirm card details over the phone—real banks don't ask for this. If you receive a "strange" call from a friend, call them back at the number you saved. Don't trust videos with investment promises from media personalities and always verify the original channel.
💳 Credit Cards: Skimmers and Phishing
Scheme: In tourist areas (for example, on Bui Vien Street in Ho Chi Minh City or in Phuket), street ATMs may be equipped with skimmers—devices that copy your card details. Unscrupulous cafes may also "accidentally" charge you an extra VND500,000.
Example: A tourist in Da Nang paid for dinner with a card, and a week later discovered charges of 2 million VND for unknown “services” in Malaysia.
How to avoid: Use ATMs only inside secure bank branches (e.g., Vietcombank, BIDV). Inspect the terminals for any tampering. Be sure to set up SMS notifications for your card.
🛡️ How to protect yourself from scammers?
Scammers in Asia are cunning, but you can be even smarter. Here's a checklist for your safety:
Use cash: Pay with the local currency (VND) at local cafes in Ho Chi Minh City or at markets in Hanoi. Use cards only at large chain hotels and restaurants.
Check ATMs: In Da Nang or Phuket, avoid isolated street ATMs. Look for official bank branches (Vietinbank, Bangkok Bank, etc.).
Monitor transactions: Enable two-factor authentication and push notifications in your banking app.
Avoid public Wi-Fi: Public networks in cafes in Nha Trang or Bali are vulnerable to hackers. Always use a reliable VPN (NordVPN, Surfshark).
Compare rates: Before exchanging currencies, check the latest rates on xe.com or on local bank websites.
Book officially: To purchase tours (to Halong Bay, Bali, etc.), use major review platforms like GetYourGuide. Always check the website address in your browser.
💡 Lifehack: In Ho Chi Minh City, keep your main cards and large amounts of cash in your hotel safe. Carry about 500,000–1,000,000 VND per day—this will be enough for street food and taxis.
🌏 Where are scammers most active?
Fraud risk varies greatly by region. Here are some hot spots in Vietnam and other Asian countries:
Hanoi (Old Quarter): Fake money exchangers and fake guides near Hoan Kiem Lake. It's recommended to exchange money at reputable exchanges on Ha Trung Street.
Ho Chi Minh City (Bui Vien Street): Skimmers in bars and inflated bills. In smaller establishments, it's safer to pay in cash.
Nha Trang (embankment): Tourist scams and helmet theft from rented motorcycles. Park your bike only in guarded parking lots (usually around 10,000 VND/day).
Phuket and Pattaya (Thailand): Skimmers at street ATMs and fake tours sold. Exchange money only at official exchange offices.
Bali (Indonesia): Fake villa booking sites and pushy street "guides." Book through trusted services like Agoda.
Da Nang (Insight): Scammers are less common here, but counterfeit bills can be passed off at popular markets (Han, Con). Always check your change carefully.
😡 What should you do if you've fallen for a scam?
Have you fallen victim to a scam? Act now:
Block your card: Call your bank immediately (Visa/Mastercard hotline: +1-800-847-2911) or block your card through the mobile app.
Report to the police: In Ho Chi Minh City, go to the police station on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street. In Hanoi, go to the police station on Ly Thuong Kiet Street. It is highly recommended to bring a local interpreter with you.
Gather evidence: Save all receipts, take screenshots of messages and fake websites, and take photos of the exchanger or ATM. This will greatly assist in the chargeback process (disputing the transaction) through your bank.
Contact your embassy: Write down the addresses and emergency numbers of your country's embassy and consulate in the cities you are visiting in your phone in advance.
⚠️ Tip: In resort towns like Nha Trang, local police can be slow. Firmly insist on drawing up an official report and always carry a copy of your passport.
Travel smart, not haphazardly!
Scammers in Asia are like mosquitoes: they can be extremely annoying, but you can protect yourself from them. Check ATMs in Ho Chi Minh City, book tours to Ha Long only through official websites, and keep small cash for the Nha Trang markets. By following these simple rules, you'll avoid scammers and save your money for delicious coffee and beautiful beaches.
