Tourist loses $24K in Asia's most beautiful island as scammers fake resort Facebook account
A tourist looking for accommodation on Phu Quoc island through Facebook has been scammed out of VND637 million (US$24,300).
Quyen, a resident from An Giang Province, sought to secure a stay at Phu Quoc, an island renowned for its beauty and recognized by Condé Nast Traveler as Asia's most picturesque destination. She selected the Rosie Hillside Phu Quoc apartment and communicated with the Facebook page bearing the same name to reserve the accommodation.
Having agreed to the booking, Quyen transferred funds exceeding VND4 million to the provided bank account. However, the page administrator claimed the transaction failed due to an incorrect format, prompting Quyen to make a series of six additional transfers totaling over VND637 million, unaware that she had fallen victim to a scam.
The page, managed by Rosie Hillside Phu Quoc apartment, had amassed over 7,800 followers by posting images and details of vacation apartments to foster trust among potential renters. The suspects, ranging in age from 20 to 39, were apprehended by the An Giang Province police after receiving a complaint from Quyen. The investigation revealed that the suspects operated an organized scam ring based in Cambodia, utilizing the Facebook page to impersonate a legitimate property on the island.
The page garnered significant attention due to its engaging content, which aimed to build credibility and entice prospective customers. The suspects were connected to a larger scam operation originating in Cambodia. One of the scammers, Hoang Van, was deceived by the prospect of easy work and attractive pay. He was recruited to open multiple bank accounts and travel to Cambodia to work for a fraudulent organization based in Bavet City, overseen by Chinese nationals.
The suspects’ bank accounts were instrumental in receiving and transferring funds from various online scams, with the money subsequently routed through multiple accounts and dispersed across cryptocurrency and foreign exchange trading platforms to obfuscate its source. Since December 2025, approximately VND800 billion has been transacted through the bank accounts of the four suspects. The police continue to investigate the matter.
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