A website with fake domain name and appearance. Photo by Read/Luu Quy
Over 12,000 domain names have been exploited for illegal activities in Vietnam, with nearly 19% of these carrying the national “.vn” suffix, potentially deceiving users into downloading fake public service applications.
According to the Vietnam Internet Network Information Center (VNNIC), from January 2021 to October 2024, a total of 12,838 domain names were identified as being used for fraudulent activities.
Of these, approximately 19% involved “.vn” domains, which scammers leveraged to create fake websites mimicking legitimate services. These sites were distributed via emails or social media, misleading users to trust the seemingly authentic domain extensions.
The fraudulent websites were also used to promote unapproved games, facilitate cryptocurrency transactions and publish illegal content.
The Ministry of Information and Communications highlighted a rise in the abuse of international domain names, with many registered through U.S.-based providers such as GoDaddy, Namecheap and Namesilo.
The ministry approved a plan on Oct. 21 to enhance oversight and reduce the misuse of domain names. This strategy involves coordinating with both domestic and international entities to tackle the exploitation of trans-border domains.
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