In response to the growing complexity of fraudulent schemes, especially those aimed at students — a group particularly vulnerable to cybercriminals and high-tech crime — HUFLIT’s Youth Union collaborated with the Special Criminal Investigation Team of the Criminal Police Division, Ho Chi Minh City Police, to organize two thematic seminars titled “Building Defensive Skills Against Scam Tactics Targeting Students.”
The program took place on October 28–29, 2025, attracting nearly 1,000 students across the Sư Vạn Hạnh and Hóc Môn campuses.
Students attending the seminar at the Sư Vạn Hạnh campus.
A Shocking Reality and an Urgent Warning
In his opening remarks, Mr. Đinh Hồng Vân — Head of the Office of Political Affairs and Student Services — emphasized the alarming reality that an increasing number of students are becoming targets of sophisticated scam tactics. Beyond financial losses, these incidents can leave deep psychological impacts and may negatively affect students’ academic progress and future plans.
The student community, known for its dynamism and frequent use of social media and digital platforms, is increasingly becoming a “prime target” for scammers. Due to limited real-world experience, many students are easily persuaded by enticing offers or threatened by elaborate fraudulent scenarios.
Financial pressures related to studying and daily living also make students more vulnerable to taking risks when offered “easy jobs with high income.” In addition, their frequent online activity and tendency to share information on digital platforms create opportunities for malicious actors to access and exploit personal data, increasing the likelihood of falling into scam traps.
Mr. Đinh Hồng Vân – Head of the Office of Political Affairs and Student Services – delivered remarks at both seminars held at the Sư Vạn Hạnh and Hóc Môn campuses (HUFLIT).
He began with real cases and actual statistics, illustrating the dangerous rise of modern scam techniques: from “online kidnapping” incidents that caused parents to panic and urgently withdraw their children from studying far from home, to scholarship impersonation schemes resulting in financial losses of up to billions of đồng.
These cases serve as a powerful wake-up call, reminding every student to proactively build a “protective shield” for themselves through knowledge, alertness, and the ability to respond effectively in today’s high-risk digital environment.
Experts expose scam tactics targeting students
Drawing from years of experience combating criminal activities, Captain Huỳnh Đỗ Tấn Thịnh from the Special Criminal Investigation Team, Criminal Police Division, Ho Chi Minh City Police, revealed numerous sophisticated scam schemes infiltrating student life. Through real investigative reports, on-site videos, and stories from actual cases, he explained in detail how these criminals operate:
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“Online kidnapping scams”: constructing panic-inducing scenarios to pressure victims into immediate money transfers.
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“High-profit online jobs”: luring victims with attractive income promises to steal deposits or access their accounts.
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Various other manipulative forms, exploiting students’ trust, limited real-world experience, and financial needs.
His direct and powerful warnings equipped students with the awareness to recognize – prevent – and proactively protect themselves, helping them avoid falling victim to digital-era scams.
Mr. Nguyễn Quốc Khánh, Secretary of the HUFLIT Youth Union, presented a letter of appreciation to the speaker, Captain Huỳnh Đỗ Tấn Thịnh.
Each story shared served as a wake-up call, reminding students that just one moment of carelessness or lowered vigilance can lead to severe and unpredictable consequences — both financially and emotionally.
In addition to these warnings, students were also equipped with practical knowledge on how to stay alert and protect themselves from potential threats. Interactive games and easy-to-understand quiz questions were incorporated throughout the session, making the content engaging and accessible while reinforcing key safety skills for all participants.
Images of the speaker at the two thematic seminar sessions.
Students participating in the Q&A session during the seminar.
“Survival Skills”: Essential Self-Defense and Emergency Response for Students
The seminar went beyond warning students about common scam tactics — it also focused on practical solutions for self-protection. Captain Huỳnh Đỗ Tấn Thịnh equipped students with essential skills to identify risks, respond effectively, and escape from dangerous situations such as harassment, theft, and robbery. These instructions were illustrated through real-life scenarios, making them easy for students to remember and apply when needed.
Captain Thịnh emphasized: “The most important way to avoid danger is to eliminate the conditions that allow danger to occur.”
From this, he reminded students to always keep in mind the 3 Don’ts – 3 Do’s as a personal “safety shield”:
Captain Huỳnh Đỗ Tấn Thịnh shared important reminders on how to protect oneself from potential dangers.
Equipping oneself with “defensive knowledge” and maintaining vigilance is no longer optional – it has become an essential survival shield for every student in the digital age. It is hoped that, after the program, HUFLIT students will step into the world with a proactive, confident, and alert mindset, fully equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to protect themselves amid the increasingly sophisticated landscape of scams and dangers.
Students took photos with the delegates and the speaker during the two seminar sessions.
Always remember the 3 Don’ts – 3 Do’s principle to protect yourself and those around you.
