Vietnam police or VNeID call demanding money: it is a scam

💡 Yes, it is a scam. In Vietnam, police and government officials issue formal written summons; they never call you without warning to demand an immediate money transfer. If a caller claims to be police, a court officer, or a VNeID representative and asks for money or your banking details, hang up and do not transfer anything.

What does the scam call sound like?

The caller introduces themselves as a police officer, an immigration officer, a prosecutor, or an official from the Ministry of Public Security's VNeID department. They claim you are suspected of a serious crime, such as drug trafficking, money laundering, or identity fraud, and that a warrant exists in your name.

The caller then offers to resolve the matter quietly, in exchange for a fee transferred to a bank account. They create urgency: "Pay within the hour or we will arrest you." Some callers use WhatsApp or Zalo video calls, appear in uniform, or send photos of fake official documents to make the situation feel real. The Vietnam police emergency line is 113 if you need to verify any claim with the real authorities.

Why do scammers use the VNeID name?

VNeID is Vietnam's official digital identity application, developed by the Ministry of Public Security and used by over 78 million people. Scammers use its name precisely because it sounds official and familiar. They may say your VNeID registration is "incomplete" or "flagged," or that you need to pay a fee to renew your digital identity.

The real VNeID app is free to download from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. The Ministry of Public Security will never call you out of the blue to demand payment. The official VNeID support hotline is 1900.0368. If you have any concern about your account, call that number directly and do not trust an inbound caller.

How do you know the call is fake?

Vietnamese police and government officials use formal written channels: a letter delivered to your registered address, or an in-person visit with official identification. An unsolicited phone call demanding an immediate money transfer is not a legitimate enforcement action, and it is not how Vietnamese authorities operate.

Three red flags that identify a scam call every time:

• Urgency and secrecy: the caller pressures you to act right away and tells you not to tell anyone, not even family or friends.
• A money demand: any caller asking you to transfer funds to "resolve" a criminal case is a scammer. Legitimate fines are paid at official service counters, not to a stranger's bank account.
• Emotional pressure: the script is designed to make you feel frightened or isolated so you act without thinking. Taking even five minutes to call a trusted person breaks the tactic.

What should you do right now?

If you are on the call: hang up. Do not argue, do not confirm your full name, and do not transfer any money. Continuing the call only gives scammers more information to pressure you with.

After the call:

• Do not call the number back. If you genuinely believe a police matter may concern you, call 113 directly, or walk into the ward police station for your area in person with your passport.
• Report the scam number to police on 113 or to the VNeID support line 1900.0368.
• Warn others: tell your hotel, your landlord, or your travel group so they are not caught out by the same caller.
• If you transferred money before reading this: call your bank's 24/7 fraud line immediately to try to stop or reverse the transfer, then go to your ward police station to file a crime report. A stamped police report is required for most travel insurance claims.

The Da Nang Visitor Center at 108 Bach Dang, phone (0236) 3 550 111, can help you reach the right authorities if you are unsure which station to go to. Confirm opening hours before visiting.

A full step-by-step guide on documenting a scam and reporting it for an insurance claim is at the Da Nang Help scam and fraud guide. For all other common situations as a foreigner in Central Vietnam, visit the Da Nang Help centre.

Can this scam target foreigners who do not speak Vietnamese?

Yes. Some callers use English-speaking operators to target tourists and expats directly. Others rely on the visual impact of a fake uniform on a video call and speak just enough English to convey the money demand. The tactic works across language barriers because it relies on fear, not conversation.

If a caller switches to English to explain a "police case," that is itself a red flag. A real Vietnamese law enforcement action involving a foreign national would include the immigration department and, depending on the severity, your embassy, not a solo phone call demanding a wire transfer.

FAQ

Can real Vietnamese police call me on my mobile phone?

Police can call to make initial contact, but they will not demand that you pay a fine or fee over the phone, and they will not ask you to transfer money to a private bank account. Any call that ends with a money demand is a scam, regardless of how official it sounds. Hang up and call 113 to verify.

What if the caller already knows my real name, passport number, or address?

Scammers buy or steal personal data. Knowing your details does not make the call legitimate. A real enforcement action uses those details in a formal written document delivered to your address, not in a phone demand for payment. Hang up and report to 113.

Should I install an app or link my accounts if the caller asks?

No. Do not install any app, do not share OTP codes, and do not link any bank accounts at a caller's request. The official VNeID app is downloaded only from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store; no legitimate government process requires you to install software because a stranger called you.

I transferred money before realising it was a scam. What can I do?

Call your bank's 24/7 fraud hotline immediately and report the transfer as fraud. Banks can sometimes freeze a transfer if contacted quickly. Then go to your local ward police station to file a crime report; bring the transfer receipt and any screenshots of the call. A stamped police report is required for most travel insurance claims.

Where can I find help for other emergencies as a foreigner in Da Nang?

The Da Nang Help centre covers the most common situations: lost passports, medical emergencies, motorbike accidents, visa overstay, hospital interpreters, and more.

Official sources

• VNeID official application (Vietnam Ministry of Public Security): confirmed VNeID hotline 1900.0368 and published warnings about impersonation scams using the VNeID name, including fake government websites, online kidnapping scams, and account-update fraud. Verified October 2026.
• UK Government, Vietnam travel advice: safety and security: official consular guidance for British nationals covering scams and safety in Vietnam. Verified October 2026.