Scam Radar: Online Marketplace and Job Scams Targeting...
Beware of online job scams in HCMC. Learn how scammers target expats with fake remote work offers and visa fraud, and how to protect your identity.
Warnings & Scams
Citywide | Facebook Marketplace Purchase Scams | Severity: High
Incident: Sellers advertise high-value items (laptops, cameras, furniture) at attractive prices, collect payment via bank transfer, then block buyers or send fake/damaged goods. How the leverage works:
- Stolen photos: Using images from legitimate listings elsewhere
- Urgency tactics: “Someone else is interested, decide now!”
- Trust building: Initial small transactions to establish credibility Signals that predict this outcome:
- Seller refuses to meet in person or use cash-on-delivery
- Communication only through Facebook Messenger
- Price significantly below market value without explanation
- Pressure to use non-refundable payment methods (bank transfer, e-wallet) Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/VietNam/comments/defghi/fb_marketplace_scam/
District 2 & Thu Duc | Fake Job Offers with Training Fees | Severity: Critical
Incident: Fraudulent companies offer “international” positions requiring upfront payment for “visa processing,” “training materials,” or “certification fees.” How the leverage works:
- Professional facade: Fake websites, LinkedIn pages, and email domains
- Interview theater: Conducting fake interviews to build legitimacy
- Gradual escalation: Small initial fees leading to larger requests Signals that predict this outcome:
- Job offer received without formal application process
- Requests for payment before starting work
- Vague job descriptions with high salary promises
- Poor English in communications despite claiming international company Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/VietNam/comments/jklmno/fake_job_offer_hcmc/
Citywide | Rental Deposit Scams via Fake Websites | Severity: High
Incident: Cloned websites of legitimate rental agencies collect deposits for properties that don’t exist or aren’t available for rent. How the leverage works:
- URL hijacking: Domains nearly identical to real agencies (e.g., .net instead of .com.vn)
- Design cloning: Exact copies of legitimate websites
- Fake documentation: Providing counterfeit contracts and receipts Signals that predict this outcome:
- Slight differences in website address from known legitimate sites
- Missing security certificates or browser warnings
- Requests for payment to personal accounts rather than company
- No physical office verifiable through Google Maps or phone calls Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/VietNam/comments/pqrstu/rental_website_scam/
Thao Dien & District 7 | “Overpayment” Scams on Marketplace | Severity: Medium
Incident: Buyers “accidentally” overpay for items and request refund of excess amount, then reverse the original payment leaving seller out of pocket. How the leverage works:
- Trust exploitation: Appearing to make an honest mistake
- Urgency creation: Needing quick refund for “emergency”
- Payment reversal: Using reversible payment methods initially Signals that predict this outcome:
- Buyer insists on using specific payment methods (often international)
- Claims of accidental overpayment requiring immediate refund
- Pressure to refund before verifying initial payment cleared
- Communication rushing the transaction process Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/VietNam/comments/vwxyz1/overpayment_scam/
The “Telegram Crypto Task” Scam (Remote Work Fraud)
Answer-first: The most prevalent remote work scam targeting expats in HCMC in 2026 involves being recruited for simple “data entry” or “review” tasks on Telegram, which quickly escalate into demands for cryptocurrency deposits to unlock your “earnings.”
How it operates
You will receive a WhatsApp or Zalo message from someone claiming to be an HR recruiter for Shopee, Lazada, or a major marketing agency. They offer an attractive daily rate (often $50-$100/day) for highly simple remote work, such as leaving 5-star reviews on products or clicking affiliate links.
To start, they ask you to move the conversation to Telegram. Initially, they might actually pay you $10 or $20 to build trust. However, the system is tiered. To get to the “next level” of higher-paying tasks, you are required to make a “security deposit” via cryptocurrency (USDT) or a local bank transfer.
Once you transfer the money, the platform displays that you have earned thousands of dollars. But when you try to withdraw it, the scammer claims you must pay a “tax fee” or “withdrawal fee” first. This cycle continues until you run out of money, at which point you are blocked.
Protection Strategy
Legitimate companies in Vietnam do not recruit via unsolicited WhatsApp messages, nor do they conduct official HR business on Telegram. Never pay money to earn money.
Visa Extortion and Work Permit Scams
Answer-first: Fake “visa agencies” and fraudulent employers will promise to secure your Temporary Residence Card (TRC) or Work Permit, demand your original passport, and then hold it ransom for thousands of dollars.
The Mechanism
Many expats arrive in Vietnam on a tourist visa hoping to find work. Scammers target these vulnerable individuals on Facebook groups (like “Expats in HCMC” or “Vietnam Visa Advice”).
A fake agency will guarantee that they can convert your tourist visa into a Business (DN) visa or full Work Permit without you needing a university degree or criminal background check—which is legally impossible in Vietnam.
They will ask you to hand over your physical passport and pay an upfront fee of $300-$500. Weeks later, they will claim there were “complications at immigration” and demand an additional $1,000 to “bribe” officials. If you refuse, they threaten to report you for working illegally or refuse to return your passport, effectively trapping you in the country.
Protection Strategy
- Never surrender your original passport to an unverified agent.
- Understand the law: In 2026, you cannot convert a tourist visa to a working visa without leaving the country (doing a “visa run”). Any agent promising otherwise is lying.
- Only use highly reputable, registered law firms or visa agencies with physical offices in D1 or D3.
Identity Theft: The Fake Bank Account Setup
Answer-first: Scammers post fake job listings to collect your passport scans and signatures. They then use these documents to open “mule” bank accounts in your name, which are used to launder money from other scams.
The Threat
You apply for an English teaching job or a marketing role on a local job board. The “HR department” replies and says you are hired. Before issuing a contract, they request a high-resolution scan of your passport, your visa, and a photo of you holding your passport next to your face for “compliance reasons.”
There is no job. They take these documents and use them to open digital bank accounts or register verified ZaloPay/MoMo wallets. These accounts are then used to scam other people (like the rental deposit scams mentioned earlier). When the police investigate the fraud, the bank accounts lead directly back to your identity.
Protection Strategy
- Watermark your passport scans. If you must send a scan for a job application, use a photo editor to write “ONLY FOR JOB APPLICATION AT [COMPANY NAME] ON [DATE]” across the image. This renders the scan useless for opening bank accounts.
- Verify the company’s Business Registration Number (Mã số thuế) on the Vietnam national portal before sending personal documents.
FAQ: Employment and Marketplace Safety
Answer: Legitimate Vietnamese employers never demand upfront cash payments for uniforms, training modules, or visa processing from job applicants.
Is it legal to work on a tourist visa in Vietnam?
No. Working on an e-visa or tourist visa is strictly illegal. If caught, you face immediate deportation, a fine of up to 25 million VND, and a potential ban from re-entering Vietnam for up to 5 years. This legal vulnerability is exactly what scammers exploit.
What should I do if a fake agent has my passport?
If someone is holding your passport ransom, immediately contact your country’s embassy or consulate in HCMC. Report the passport as stolen to invalidate it, preventing the scammers from using it for identity theft. You will then need to apply for an emergency passport and secure an exit visa from the Vietnam Immigration Department.
Can the police track bank transfers to scammers?
While all bank accounts in Vietnam are technically tied to a national ID (CCCD) or passport, scammers use “mule” accounts—meaning the account belongs to a third party (often a student paid a small fee to open it) or was opened using stolen identities. By the time you report the scam, the money has already been withdrawn or converted to crypto. Do not expect to recover lost funds.
Are Facebook expat groups safe for finding housing or jobs?
They are highly unregulated. While there are legitimate listings, these groups are the primary hunting ground for scammers because they allow anonymity. Always verify the identity of the person posting by checking the age of their Facebook profile, asking for a LinkedIn profile, and insisting on meeting in person at a registered office.
- Verify independently: Check company/job postings through official channels
- Never pay to work: Legitimate employers don’t require upfront fees
- Use secure platforms: Prefer platforms with buyer/seller protection
- Meet in person: For high-value transactions, insist on face-to-face exchange
- Verify URLs carefully: Look for subtle differences in website addresses
Encountered a suspicious job offer or online transaction? Get help verifying its legitimacy.
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