Beware of buying 'super cheap' but 'super fake' airline tickets during Tet

Taking advantage of the high demand at the end of the year, many fake websites are selling airline tickets at 'super cheap' prices. The scammers use all kinds of tricks, from impersonating airlines to sending fake booking codes to collect deposits and then disappear.

The fake sites use tricks with domain names similar to the official website of Vietnam Airlines - Screenshot

Recently, Hanoi Police have issued a warning about many groups selling surprisingly cheap airline tickets, asking buyers to transfer deposits, and then taking them. According to airlines, the demand for booking airline tickets increases at the end of the year; the frequency of fraudulent websites with domain names similar to genuine ones increases... Therefore, consumers need to be extremely vigilant.

Fake, sophisticated fraud!

Ms. Mai Hai Nguyen (from Hai Phong) currently living in Ho Chi Minh City said that a few days ago she booked a flight ticket for Tet holiday on January 24, 2025 (December 25) from Ho Chi Minh City to Hai Phong with Vietnam Airlines, but the ticket price was only 2 million VND/person.

Surprised by the cheap price while her friends had to pay from 3.5 to nearly 4 million VND/person, after carefully examining the domain names, Ms. Nguyen discovered that they were all fake, similar to the Vietnam Airlines website (https://www.vietnamairlines.com/) such as: vietnamairslines.com, vietnamaairlines.com, vietnamairlinesvn.com, vemaybayvietnam.com...

During peak periods, criminals often take advantage of customers' trust in the companies to attract gullible customers - Screenshot

"Luckily, I discovered it in time and stopped the money transfer. If I had transferred it and they had locked my phone and I couldn't contact them, who would I ask for the money back from?", said Hai Nguyen. However, not everyone is as vigilant as Nguyen, because in reality, some customers have been scammed.

Previously, an airline recorded a case of a customer buying a domestic round-trip ticket for a family of 5 through a company, but when checking in at the airport, they discovered that the company had only booked seats but not issued tickets, so the family had to buy another ticket, which was very expensive.

According to Vietnam Airlines, fake websites often ask customers to pay through personal accounts, then do not provide valid tickets or actual services. Many second-level agents are also currently taking advantage of the name of "first-level agents" to gain trust with customers.

They often transact online, providing only a booking code instead of issuing an official ticket. Therefore, customers may be at risk when arriving at the airport and discovering that their booking code is invalid or has not been issued a ticket.

Other scams include impersonating airlines, sending emails or text messages claiming customers have “won a prize” or have “special airfare deals.” When customers click on the attached link, scammers may ask for personal or credit card information to steal their money.

Even if a booking code is received, the customer may still be at risk of not having a ticket for that trip - Screenshot

Be careful before booking tickets online

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam informed that the most common method of fraud today is for subjects to impersonate agents, create their own websites and social networking sites, with addresses and designs similar to those of official airlines or agents.

Next, the scammers will advertise many attractive prices, "super cheap" compared to the general level to attract customers. Once the customer contacts them, the scammers will make a reservation, send the customer the reservation code as a guarantee, and request payment transfer. After receiving the payment, the scammers will not issue the ticket and cut off contact...

To avoid falling prey to scammers, Vietnam Airlines recommends that customers carefully check the authenticity of the agent and request an official ticket code from the airline. Customers should only visit the airline's official website or reputable agents to book tickets, and not make transactions through personal accounts of unknown origin.

Airlines always have transparent payment information, do not require money transfers to personal accounts, do not provide personal information and bank accounts via strange links in emails, messages, be wary of overly attractive promotions...

In addition, customers should avoid clicking on links of unknown origin and not provide bank account or credit card information via email or text message.

In addition, social networks, especially Facebook and Zalo groups, are also places where scammers post fake airline tickets for sale at "super cheap" prices to attract buyers during the peak Tet season. When customers transfer money, they may receive a ticket code, but then this code will be canceled or refunded, making it impossible for customers to board the plane.

Information from the Ho Chi Minh City Consumer Protection Association, a unit that regularly receives information and feedback from people about buying poor quality goods, counterfeit goods, including buying fake tickets.

Faced with the "blooming" situation of social networks and many sophisticated scams, the Ho Chi Minh City Association for Consumer Protection warns customers to be alert and vigilant against bargains that "fall from the sky" to avoid losing money to scammers.

On the occasion of Lunar New Year 2025, Vietnam Airlines Group (including Vietnam Airlines, Pacific Airlines and VASCO) will open for sale nearly 1.5 million air tickets on its entire domestic flight network for travel from January 13 to February 12, 2025, i.e. December 14, the year of the Dragon, to January 15, the year of the Snake.

Passengers can buy Tet 2025 flight tickets on the website, mobile application, ticket offices or official agents of Vietnam Airlines. Vietnam Airlines and other airlines will regularly monitor market demand, aircraft fleet resources, slot allocation (takeoff and landing times) from the Civil Aviation Authority to open ticket sales and widely announce for people to proactively and conveniently travel at the end of the year.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/coi-chung-mua-trung-ve-may-bay-sieu-re-nhung-sieu-dom-dip-tet-20241113155435129.htm