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On May 8, the Ninh Binh Provincial Police issued a warning about the risks of online passport services, citing cases in which scammers exploited public unfamiliarity with the process for applying for ordinary passports through official online channels.
Law enforcement said that from March 1, 2023, the Ministry of Public Security began issuing ordinary passports online via the national public service portal. The police noted that the move has improved convenience for citizens by saving time and effort and is part of implementing Government Decree 06.
However, scammers took advantage of individuals’ limited experience with the online application process. On social media, many pages and groups posted advertisements and guidance related to passport services, expedited passport processing, and “cheap” passports.
According to the police, the fees charged by these groups were significantly higher than the official state fees. During the information submission stage, the perpetrators allegedly did not record the citizen’s phone number or email as provided. Instead, they used their own contact details or intentionally entered incorrect permanent addresses to prevent authorities from contacting applicants when additional documents were required.
After a period, citizens who expected their passports to be processed reportedly did not receive them and contacted the Immigration Management Office. They were then informed that their files had not been supplemented and therefore could not be processed.
The police also highlighted that some individuals were reportedly targeted for personal information theft, which was then used to commit other crimes. Examples cited include opening bank accounts, borrowing money through apps, and stealing Facebook and VNeID accounts.
Police said that stolen accounts were subsequently used to borrow money from relatives and friends, and to appropriate residential information of other people stored in the VNeID application.
The Immigration Management Division of the Ninh Binh Police advised citizens not to provide personal information to unidentified individuals or heed groups offering passport brokering services.
Citizens are instructed to submit online passport applications themselves through the National Public Service Portal or the Public Service Portal of the Ministry of Public Security. If online submission is not possible, they may ask a relative for assistance or go directly to the nearest police authority for guidance.
In cases where signs of fraud are detected, citizens were urged to contact the police promptly for timely guidance and handling.
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