On February 28, 2025, Bệnh viện Bạch Mai, one of Vietnam's leading hospitals, issued a stark warning about fraudulent online appointment scheduling practices occurring through misleading websites. These scams have led to significant financial losses for individuals seeking medical care, especially parents attempting to book consultations for their children.
Victims of these scams report being lured by online advertisements promising easy appointment scheduling at the hospital. One such case involved a parent who sought to register their child for treatment. After searching for "Đặt lịch khám Bệnh viện Bạch Mai" online, the victim encountered the deceptive website timkiemtrogiup.com. This site falsely claimed to facilitate appointment booking, leading victims to believe they were connecting directly with hospital services.
The parent, after following instructions from the website, inputted their details and called the provided hotline. During the call, they were directed to complete the appointment via Zalo, where they received a QR code requesting payment of 600,000 VND. Unbeknownst to them, this was the first step of the scam.
When the parent arrived at Bệnh viện Bạch Mai for the scheduled appointment, they were shocked to discover their name was not included on the hospital's booking system. A subsequent examination of their Zalo messages revealed the chats had been deleted, cutting off any means to contact the supposed appointment coordinator. At this point, reality set in—the parent had fallen victim to the fraud.
Adding insult to injury, the parent faced additional costs of 8,000 VND per minute for the calls made during the appointment booking process, compounding their distress over the overall loss.
The incident emphasizes the perils present when seeking medical services, particularly the increasing exploitation of individuals' urgency for healthcare appointments. The hospital has urged the public to be vigilant when seeking appointment information, recommending potential patients utilize official channels to avoid falling prey to such schemes.
Bệnh viện Bạch Mai stresses the importance of confirming appointment details directly through verified communication methods. The official appointment hotline is 1900.888.866, which is the only secure number for scheduling consultations at the hospital. This hotline operates weekdays from 7:30 AM until 9:00 PM and is available from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM on weekends and holidays.
Ways to securely navigate the appointment booking process include:
- Always search for hospital information using official websites:
https://bachmai.gov.vn/ - Follow the hospital's verified social media channels, which are marked with verification badges.
- Before making any transactions, validate information through direct hospital contact via their official line.
Legal authorities are also being informed about these fraudulent practices as more and more patients report similar scams. Awareness campaigns and warnings being circulated are part of the hospital’s efforts to reinforce public vigilance against deceptive solicitations.
Bệnh viện Bạch Mai advises all patients and their families to take proactive measures when it involves medical appointments. By seeking information from trustworthy and official hospital communication lines, the risk of being deceived by fraudulent websites can be mitigated.
The agility of fraudsters often exploits the rapid demands for healthcare services, especially evident during the recent uptick of individuals seeking medical attention. It is increasingly evident how this form of fraud is taking advantage of desperate circumstances surrounding health crises.
The hospital vows to support efforts aimed at identifying and dismantling these fraudulent websites. Attention to detail and verification are key to ensuring safety during medical appointment scheduling. If you ever find yourself unsure of the booking process, always consult official hospital resources before proceeding with appointments.
Staying informed and cautious about these issues will empower individuals to safeguard their financial and personal well-being against rising fraudulent schemes.
Remember—if the deal seems too good to be true, it likely is!