How to Report Cybercrime in Vietnam (and Get Your Money Back)

Quick answer: If you have just lost money to an online scam in Vietnam, call your bank's hotline immediately and ask them to freeze the account and recall the transfer, then call the police on 113 (or visit your local police station to file a report). Report the scam online to the National Cyber Security Center at canhbao.khonggianmang.vn, and report scam calls and messages by texting or calling 156. The honest reality: money recovery is only realistic if the bank can freeze the funds before the scammer withdraws them, which usually means acting within minutes to hours, not days.

What to do in 3 steps

1. Call your bank right now. Phone the hotline printed on your card or in your banking app, report the fraud, and ask them to freeze the receiving account and attempt to recall the transfer. Speed matters more than anything else: once the scammer moves the money on, it is usually gone. Note the time of your call and the name of the staff member you spoke to.
2. Report to the police. Call 113 for urgent help, or go in person to your nearest commune or district police station (cong an) to file a written report. For serious or organised fraud, the case is handled by the Ministry of Public Security's Department of Cyber Security and High-Tech Crime Prevention and Control (A05). Bring all your evidence.
3. Report the scam channel. Submit the scam to the National Cyber Security Center at canhbao.khonggianmang.vn so it can be blocked and others warned. Report fraudulent phone calls and SMS by sending a message to or calling 156 (you can also forward scam SMS to 5656 or report at thongbaorac.ais.gov.vn).

How recovery actually works

Be realistic. Once you authorise a transfer, the money lands in the scammer's account and is usually pulled out or split across mule accounts within minutes. Recovery depends almost entirely on whether your bank can freeze the receiving account before that happens, which is why calling the bank first, before anything else, gives you the best chance. Police can investigate and sometimes recover funds from frozen accounts or seized assets, but this takes time and is never guaranteed. Be aware of a dangerous second scam: fake "recovery services" and websites that impersonate the NCSC and promise to get your money back for a fee. These are fraudulent. No legitimate body charges you upfront to recover scammed money, so never pay anyone who guarantees recovery.

What to have ready

• The exact date, time and amount of each transaction, with transaction reference numbers
• The scammer's account number, bank name and account holder name, plus their phone numbers, emails or social media accounts
• Screenshots of all chats, messages, emails, websites and payment confirmations
• Any links, app download files or QR codes the scammer sent you
• Your own bank account details and a record of your call to the bank (time and staff name)
• Your ID card or citizen identification (CCCD) for filing the police report

Frequently asked questions

What number do I call to report a scam in Vietnam?
For an emergency or to reach the police, call 113. To report scam calls and spam or fraudulent SMS, call or text 156. To report a scam online, use the NCSC portal at canhbao.khonggianmang.vn. You can also file a report in person at your local police station.

Can I get my money back?
Sometimes, but only if you act fast. If your bank can freeze the receiving account before the scammer withdraws the funds, recovery is possible. If the money has already been moved, getting it back is rare. Report to your bank and the police immediately to give yourself the best chance.

Should I pay a service that promises to recover my money?
No. Services and websites that guarantee to recover scammed funds for an upfront fee are themselves scams, and some even impersonate the NCSC. Only deal with your bank and the official police and government channels listed below.

Sources

• National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) scam alert and reporting portal, canhbao.khonggianmang.vn
• Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam (official portal, home of Department A05)
• Authority of Information Security / VNCER-CC spam and scam SMS reporting (156 / 5656)
• State Bank of Vietnam

For step-by-step reporting and recovery guides covering other countries, see our cybercrime help hub.