Some individuals have created a fake page of Serena Resort Kim Boi in Hoa Binh province to scam customers into booking rooms.
Lieutenant Colonel, Dr. Dao Trung Hieu, a criminology expert, has highlighted that fraudulent methods on social media platforms are becoming increasingly sophisticated. With a deceptive yet familiar trick, the fake Fanpage used the name “Serena Resort Kim Boi,” copied and posted information about resort services from the official fanpage to impersonate and mislead customers.
Once a potential customer contacts the fake fanpage, the administrator impersonates the resort’s receptionist, introduces the services, and provides details for payment. After gaining the customer’s trust, the scammer demands an advance deposit, claiming that the room cannot be reserved otherwise. However, once the customer completes the transfer, the scammer evades further communication, eventually blocking the customer and misappropriating the payment. The fake fanpage does not actually book any resort services for customers.
To prevent similar fraud cases, Lieutenant Colonel, Dr. Dao Trung Hieu, provided insights into how customers can verify the authenticity of resort, hotel, or homestay information:
Customers should carefully verify the source of information. They should visit the official website of the hotel, resort, or homestay to confirm contact details, as reputable businesses usually publish their official website or media links. It is essential not to rely solely on Facebook or other social media platforms, as the official website remains the most reliable source.
Customers should compare phone numbers and contact addresses. They must cross-check the contact details provided by the fanpage with those on the resort’s official website or reputable travel sites to ensure consistency.
Review and feedback history should be examined. Official fanpages typically have long-term reviews and feedback from real customers. Fake pages, however, often exhibit unusual signs, such as overwhelmingly positive but suspicious reviews, a lack of long-term customer feedback, or only recently created reviews.
Immediate payment requests should raise suspicion. Large resorts or hotels usually have a structured booking confirmation process via official email. If a fanpage demands an urgent transfer without system confirmation, customers should halt the transaction immediately.
Regarding the increasing practice of creating fake websites for hotels, resorts, and homestays to scam tourists and damage the reputation of businesses, Lieutenant Colonel, Dr. Dao Trung Hieu, provided recommendations for both customers and businesses to prevent falling victim to such fraud:
Customers must always verify booking information through multiple sources. Before making any payment, they should check details from the official website, support centers, or reputable booking applications such as Agoda and Booking.com. Payments should never be made via personal accounts. Reputable resorts and hotels usually use company accounts for deposits, and any request for transfers to a personal account should be treated with caution. Keeping proof of transactions, including emails, messages, and transaction receipts, is crucial to providing evidence in case of disputes.
Businesses should strengthen their brand protection online by registering for official blue verification ticks on Facebook and other platforms to help customers distinguish between legitimate and fake pages. Regular monitoring to detect and report fraudulent pages is essential.
Businesses should also issue warnings and guidance for customers. Posting fraud warnings on official websites and fanpages and educating customers on distinguishing real pages from fake ones can significantly reduce scams.
Collaboration with authorities is vital. Upon detecting fake pages, businesses should immediately report them to law enforcement and social media platforms for prompt action.
Raising awareness and remaining vigilant will help customers avoid unnecessary risks while protecting the reputation and integrity of tourism businesses.
Thank you, Doctor!
The above information is provided by Mys Law. For any questions regarding the content of this article, please contact 0969.361.319 or email: [email protected] for further clarification. Best regards!
Compiler: Nguyen Anh Quan
