Many residents in Hanoi have received scam messages and calls impersonating traffic police, informing them of alleged violations and asking them to visit a fake website to “resolve the issue online.” When the victim interacts, malware is installed on the device, allowing criminals to read messages, monitor banking transactions, and take control of the phone.

A scam text message impersonating a traffic-violation notification

Hanoi Police confirm that traffic violation notifications are not sent via SMS or phone calls containing links. All penalty decisions are issued through official written documents, and vehicle owners only work directly at the local Police office. If they cannot be present, authorities will provide guidance on proper procedures.

Bkav experts note that “cold penalty” scams rely on stealing device control and sensitive information. To avoid becoming a victim, people should:

• Do not click any links sent via SMS, Zalo, or email from unknown sources. These are common channels for installing malware that steals data.

• Regularly check app permissions on your phone to detect suspicious software, especially apps that automatically request access to read SMS, control the device, or access deep system settings.

• Enable multi-factor authentication for bank accounts and e-wallets to stay protected even if login information is leaked.

• Report immediately to the police if your phone shows signs of being compromised, automatically installs strange apps, or generates unknown transactions.

• Install email monitoring systems, antivirus software, and advanced anti-malware solutions. Built-in security tools in operating systems serve only as basic protection and are nearly incapable of detecting modern ransomware, long-term stealthy trojans, or adaptive malware variants.

• Check traffic violations through official sources such as csgt.vn or the VNeTraffic app operated by the Ministry of Public Security; never use any link sent via text message.

Bkav