On August 24, Dak Lak Provincial Police announced increased patrols and targeted operations. These efforts focus on key growing districts, packing warehouses, and crowded festival grounds.
Rising Scams and Exploitation During Peak Harvest
Recent reports from local residents highlight pickpocketing and theft during the Dak Lak Durian Festival 2026. In response, local authorities deployed extra officers to protect crowded areas.
On August 17, the Dak Lak Provincial People’s Procuracy indicted 34-year-old Nguyen Duy Anh Vu from Hanoi for fraudulent asset appropriation. In 2023, Vu posed as the owner of two unfenced orchards belonging to his father and cousin. He signed fake purchase contracts, collected deposits, and stole over 6 billion VND ($240,000 USD) to fuel online gambling habits. Some victims lost up to 400 million VND each. Authorities urged buyers to verify land ownership before depositing funds.
Sellers also fall prey to deception. On August 20, prosecutors indicted Nguyen Thi Nhan (35, from Bac Ninh). Posing online as an officer from the Ministry of Public Security, Nhan ordered over 416 kilograms of durians worth 41.6 million VND. She took the shipment without paying and used fake social media accounts to borrow and misappropriate hundreds of millions of dong from the victim.
Police also received fraud complaints regarding Hanoi-based ISANA JSC. Several farmers delivered tons of durians worth billions of dong but never received full payment. One household delivered 15.6 tons worth over 1 billion VND but collected only 385 million VND.
Dak Lak police regularly inspect purchase stations and warehouses to deter extortion and price manipulation. (Photo: Tam An/Tuoi Tre News)
Strict Security from Orchards to Packing Hubs
To protect the valuable harvest, the Dak Lak Criminal Police Department launched proactive measures against organized theft, forged payment receipts, scale tampering, and loan-shark operations.
Dlie Ya Commune Police visit orchards to warn farmers about emerging harvest scams (Photo: Tam An/Tuoi Tre News)
Commune officers conduct nighttime patrols around farms and warehouses. In Krong Nang Commune, officers advise growers to install 24/7 security cameras, add lighting, and maintain round-the-clock guards. In the key durian hub of Ea Knuec, police strictly monitor temporary worker registrations at local hostels and farms.
Dlie Ya Commune Police also cautioned farmers against false rumors regarding export border closures and price drops. Scammers often use fake trader personas to demand reservation fees or phish for OTP codes to drain victims’ bank accounts.
Krong Nang Commune Police conduct regular security patrols to protect the harvest (Photo: Hoang Minh/Tuoi Tre News)
Dak Lak police urge growers never to release produce solely based on digital bank transfer screenshots. Farmers must confirm real bank balances, vet trader credentials, and sign clear contracts detailing tonnage, pricing, and payment schedules before handing over stock. If fraudulent activity occurs, victims should preserve all chat logs, receipts, and messages and contact the police immediately.
(Source: Tuoi Tre News)
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Source: Vietnam Insider