Currently, criminals are taking advantage of the elderly's anxiety about illness, their desire for extra income, and their kindness to carry out many sophisticated scams. Among them, voice phishing/vishing is a form of direct psychological attack and […] from Vishing scams targeting seniors
by
Editor CLD
schedule04/12/2025
Currently, criminals are taking advantage of the elderly's anxiety about illness, their desire for extra income, and their kindness to carry out many sophisticated scams. Among them, voice phishing/vishing is the most common and direct form of psychological attack.
Fraudsters use VoIP (Internet calling) services to fake phone numbers, combined with social engineering techniques to create "shocking calls" that cause victims to panic and lose control of their minds.
Impersonating law enforcement agencies (Police, Court, Procuracy)
This is a scenario that plays on the fear of authority and the fear of the law in the elderly.
Step 1: Approach and preempt
Fraudsters call, claiming to be investigators, court staff or prosecutors.
Notify the victim of involvement in a serious crime (money laundering, international drug trafficking, or personal information used by criminals to open illegal accounts).
Tone: Serious, steely, sometimes with sirens or walkie-talkie chatter in the background for added authenticity.
Step 2: Isolate and manipulate
Require the victim to keep absolute confidentiality for the purpose of investigation (“State Secret”).
Threaten immediate detention if disclosed to a third party (including children or the police).
Purpose: To cut off counseling support from the victim's relatives.
Step 3: Pressure and Closing
Require the victim to transfer all savings into a “Temporary Account” or “Safe Account” managed by the Ministry of Public Security to verify the source of the money.
Commitment: "If clean, money will be refunded within 24 hours".
Reality: As soon as the money is transferred, the crooks withdraw it all and cut off communication.
Fraud of relatives in distress
This is a script that plays on family affection and concern for children.
Step 1: Create an emergency situation
Scammers call in an urgent, panicked voice, sometimes pretending to cry or distorting their voice.
Content: “My child just caused a serious traffic accident”, “My child is under arrest”, or “My child needs money for urgent surgery”.
Step 2: Appeal to compassion and urgency
The crook (or accomplice pretending to be a doctor, police officer, or lawyer) snatches the phone to confirm the critical condition.
Request immediate money transfer to “settle”, “pay fine on the spot” or “pay hospital fees” to save people.
Step 3: Property appropriation
Pressure the victim to transfer money immediately or prepare cash for collection (less common but still happens).
Signs of recognition
Red flags of scam calls:
The “Secret” factor”: Any call that asks “Don’t tell anyone”, “Must keep secret from family” is a scam.
The “Secure Account” factor”: State agencies never work over the phone to request money transfers, and the law does not have the concept of a “safe account” for people to transfer money to for appraisal.
The “Security Information” element”: Request to read OTP code, bank password, or card number over the phone.
Time pressure: Always urge “move now”, not giving the victim time to think.
Response procedures for seniors
When encountering the above situations, the elderly need to follow the rule "3 NO - 1 CALL":
NOT BELIEVE: Never trust threatening or crying calls from unknown phone numbers.
NO MONEY TRANSFER: Do not make any money transfers requested by strangers over the phone.
NOT PROVIDED: Do not read OTP code, password to anyone.
CALL BACK:
In case of impersonating your child/grandchild: Hang up immediately. Then, dial your child/grandchild's number yourself (from the number saved in your contacts) or call another relative to verify.
In case of impersonating the police/bank: Hang up. If you are worried, go directly to the nearest police station or bank branch to ask. Never call back the number that just called.
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