In a concerning trend, schools in Ho Chi Minh City have issued urgent warnings about a new scam targeting parents of students preparing for the 2025 high school graduation exam. The scam involves individuals impersonating school staff and claiming that students' registration information is inaccurate, demanding urgent updates via suspicious links.
Vo Thi Binh Minh, the Vice Principal of Hiep Binh High School, revealed that around five parents of 12th-grade students reported being contacted by these impersonators. They were told their child's exam registration details were incorrect and that their ID cards needed to be updated to level 2 to complete their profiles. This alarming situation has left many parents feeling anxious and vulnerable.
The impersonators provided a phone number for the parents to call, claiming that a local police officer would assist them with the necessary adjustments. Concerned for their children's future, some parents followed these instructions. Upon calling the number, they were connected to a person posing as a police officer, who then sent a link to adjust the information.
Unfortunately, after parents scanned their faces as instructed, they found their bank accounts drained. It was only at this point that they realized they had fallen victim to a scam. "The danger lies in the fact that the impersonators knew the student's name, school, and class, which made parents trust them due to their concern for their children," Binh Minh explained.
The school has since advised parents and students to disregard any requests from strangers and to verify all information through official school channels. All pertinent details will be communicated directly to parents and students through their class teachers.
This incident is not isolated. Earlier in April, as schools prepared for the 2025-2026 academic year, several institutions in Ho Chi Minh City reported similar scams where individuals impersonated school principals. These scammers contacted parents under the pretense of requiring confirmation of their child's level 2 identification code for enrollment, further emphasizing the need for vigilance.
In another significant development, nearly 43,000 free candidates are expected to participate in the upcoming high school graduation exams, accounting for 3.67% of the total candidates. This figure includes students registering under both the 2006 and 2018 General Education Programs.
In Dong Nai, the situation mirrors that of Ho Chi Minh City, with approximately 38,000 candidates registered for the 2025 high school graduation exam, marking an increase of nearly 4,000 from the previous year. Local authorities are working diligently to ensure that preparations for the exam are thorough and effective, aiming for a safe, serious, and regulation-compliant testing environment on June 26 and 27, 2025.
The urgency of these preparations highlights the importance of maintaining the integrity of the examination process, especially in light of recent scams that have preyed on the fears and concerns of parents.
As the exam dates approach, schools are reinforcing their communication strategies to ensure that all information is relayed through official channels. This proactive approach is essential to protect students and parents from potential scams and to ensure a smooth examination process.
In summary, the combination of rising candidate numbers and the prevalence of scams presents a dual challenge for educational institutions in Vietnam. Schools must not only prepare for the logistical aspects of the exams but also safeguard their communities against fraudulent activities that exploit parental anxiety.
As the graduation exam draws near, the focus remains on maintaining a secure and supportive environment for students, ensuring that all candidates can sit for their exams with confidence and integrity.
