HANOI, Vietnam — Vietnamese authorities have issued an urgent warning over a disturbing rise in AI-driven deepfake extortion schemes, as cybercriminals leverage advanced technology to create hyper-realistic fabricated content for blackmail and fraud.
According to Lý Hoài Nam, Deputy Director of the Hà Nội Police Department’s Criminal Police Division, these scams mark a dangerous evolution from traditional impersonation frauds to highly sophisticated digital coercion. “What was once basic trickery has now turned into a psychological and technological war on individuals’ reputations,” Nam told reporters in a recent security briefing.
How Deepfake Blackmail Works
Criminal groups are now harvesting photos and videos from social media platforms, cloud storage leaks, and even data breaches. With AI-based tools like DeepFaceLab and FaceSwap, they generate manipulated videos placing victims’ faces into explicit or compromising scenarios. These deepfakes are then used to extort money, with threats to release the content to family, employers, or publicly on the internet.
In many cases, even after victims pay—sometimes in sums exceeding 500 million đồng (approx. $20,000)—the blackmail continues. Victims are often trapped in a cycle of fear and repeated demands, discouraged from reporting due to stigma and reputational damage.
Victims Across Demographics
The Ho Chi Minh City Police recently dismantled a network that targeted high-profile individuals including entrepreneurs and celebrities. Meanwhile, a separate case in March 2024 involved a Hà Nội high school student who was blackmailed after receiving a doctored video featuring her likeness. She complied with a 50 million đồng ($2,000) demand before her family intervened and alerted authorities.
Cybersecurity Experts Raise the Red Flag
Ngô Tấn Vũ Khanh, Vietnam Country Director at Kaspersky, called deepfakes “one of the gravest cybersecurity threats today.” He highlighted how AI can simulate not only visuals but also voice and biometrics, potentially fooling authentication systems and enabling bank fraud, identity theft, and corporate espionage.
According to Kaspersky’s 2024 Threat Intelligence Report, 21% of phishing emails analyzed were AI-generated, demonstrating how fraudsters are using generative models like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude to write realistic messages, tricking victims into giving up sensitive data.
AI Malware and Fake Apps on the Rise
Authorities are also warning the public against downloading malicious apps disguised as government or banking tools. Some of these apps silently steal files, photos, and login credentials, often enabling remote control of devices.
Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security, led by Minister Lương Tam Quang, is ramping up its response under Project 06, a national initiative to digitize public services and integrate cybersecurity measures. A new crime-reporting feature on the VNeID app has been launched to streamline reporting and response.
A Global Problem, Not Just Local
The situation in Vietnam mirrors a global surge in AI-fueled cybercrime. In 2023, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) noted a spike in deepfake-related reports, especially in job application frauds and virtual scams. Likewise, Europol has warned that generative AI could become a standard tool for organized cybercrime groups in the next three years.
Meta (Facebook), TikTok, and YouTube have all begun rolling out policies to label AI-generated content, though enforcement remains a challenge, particularly in non-English speaking regions.
Public Vigilance Is Crucial
Lý Hoài Nam advised citizens to avoid sharing personal photos or videos online, even in private groups, and to enable two-factor authentication on all accounts. “The less digital footprint you leave, the safer you are,” he said.
Security experts suggest the following protective measures:
- Regularly update software to patch vulnerabilities
- Use antivirus and AI threat-detection tools
- Be cautious of unsolicited requests for personal data
- Never respond to threats—report them immediately
Minister Quang emphasized the importance of international collaboration in addressing this rising threat. “The anonymity and speed of AI crimes require not just national, but global vigilance and cooperation,” he noted.
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