Vietnamese Warned of $15,000 U.S. Visa Scam Emails

Photo courtesy of VN Express

The U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City has issued a stark warning to Vietnamese travellers about a wave of scam emails demanding hefty visa deposits of up to 540,000 Thai Baht.

The consulate's alert, published on Tuesday, reveals that fraudsters have been posing as U.S. government officials to extort money from visa applicants. This fraudulent activity has alarmed potential travellers and highlights the importance of vigilance.

Currently, the U.S. has a pilot deposit programme for B1 and B2 short-term business and tourism visas, which requires advance deposits only from visitors hailing from Malawi and Zambia, ranging from 180,000 to 540,000 Thai Baht. Crucially, Vietnam is not included in this programme.

"Any emails claiming otherwise and asking Vietnamese B visa applicants to post a bond are likely fraudulent," the U.S. Consulate General clarified. This statement aims to reassure Vietnamese citizens and guide them in identifying legitimate communication.

To further aid travellers, the consulate stressed that official U.S. government emails end with ".gov". They encouraged anyone uncertain about an email’s authenticity to use the consulate's official inquiry form for verification.

In a bid to illustrate the sophistication of these scams, the consulate shared an image of a fraudulent email received by a Vietnamese applicant. This not only exposes the fake operations but also raises awareness of the tactics being employed.

Pham Anh Vu, Deputy General Director of tourism firm Du Lich Viet, expanded on the issue, mentioning that beyond emails, fake visa websites and Facebook pages are also preying on unsuspecting travellers. These deceptive practices tend to spike during peak travel seasons.

Vu advises tourists to remain calm if they encounter suspicious requests. He stresses the importance of not transferring money to unknown sources and recommends thorough verification of information. Travellers should also prefer booking with reputable travel companies to avoid falling victim to scams.

As the situation unfolds, the consulate's proactive approach in highlighting these scams serves as both a warning and a guide. By increasing awareness, they aim to protect travellers from losing substantial amounts of money and facing potential disruptions to their travel plans.

This cautionary tale underscores the broader issue of global travel scams and the need for constant vigilance, especially in an era where digital communication can easily be manipulated for fraudulent purposes. Vietnamese travellers, amidst their excitement for upcoming trips, are reminded to stay informed and sceptical of any unexpected financial demands related to their travel plans.

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from VN Express 2025-08-21