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The Ca Mau Province Police Department for Cyber Security and High-Tech Crime Prevention has issued a warning about a growing trend of hijacking Zalo accounts to defraud users. The attack method remains familiar: criminals send fake links designed to lure users into surrendering their accounts.
Perpetrators often send links inviting users to vote in contests, claim gifts, or update information. When victims click the counterfeit link and log in to Zalo on the fake page, the account is immediately hijacked.
In addition, criminals may send strange QR codes that prompt users to scan to “verify” their account. They may also impersonate technical support staff to obtain OTP codes or verification codes.
Despite repeated warnings, these tactics continue to generate new victims, largely due to complacency and lack of vigilance.
After hijacking, criminals attempt to maintain control for an extended period. They repeatedly use the “forgot password” function, causing the system to send verification codes to the victim’s phone number.
When codes are requested too frequently within a short time, the Zalo system automatically blocks the ability to receive codes for 24 hours. This effectively prevents the real owner from regaining access during that period.
While the victim is locked out, criminals message the victim’s contacts, posing as lenders or requesting transfers. Some also create urgent situations—such as accidents or emergencies—to pressure recipients into sending money immediately. Because the messages appear to come from a familiar account, many people transfer money quickly, leading to financial losses.
When receiving a money-lending message on Zalo, police advise calling the person directly to verify. Users should also regularly review and log out of unfamiliar devices, and change passwords immediately if abnormal activity is detected.
If you have already transferred money and suspect you were scammed, police recommend saving the message content, transaction records, and contacting the nearest police unit for timely assistance.
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