International Scam Ring Targeting Vietnamese Women Busted, 45 Arrested

Hai Phong City Police have busted an international high-tech crime ring that defrauded Vietnamese women of over VND44.5 billion (approximately $1.8 million), arresting 45 individuals. The group operated by creating fake profiles of successful businessmen to lure victims into depositing money on fraudulent websites. According to investigations, the group was managed and operated by Chinese nationals, initially based in Cambodia. After facing crackdowns by local authorities, they relocated to Bokeo Province, Laos, where they rented land from residents to set up workshops for their fraud operations targeting Vietnamese citizens. Between March and June 2026, the ringleaders recruited Vietnamese laborers through social media platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and Telegram, advertising "easy jobs with high salaries" in roles such as casino staff, game operators, receptionists, and technicians. All travel and relocation expenses to the Don Moon area in Tonpheung District, Bokeo Province, were sponsored. Upon arrival, Chinese nationals were responsible for the technical systems, bank accounts, and overall coordination. Some Vietnamese individuals served as translators, managers, prepared equipment, and distributed customer data to the employees. The 45 Vietnamese employees were provided with computers and iPhones pre-loaded with applications such as Viber, WhatsApp, and Telegram. These devices contained virtual accounts impersonating successful businessmen, used to befriend and build trust with financially well-off Vietnamese women. Once trust was established, the scammers would invite victims to participate in online gambling websites. They would fabricate issues like "IP errors" or "algorithm malfunctions" and ask victims to "play on their behalf" to earn profit from the discrepancies. Initially, the system was set up to allow victims to win and withdraw real money, thereby fostering confidence. However, once victims deposited substantial amounts, the system would block withdrawals citing reasons like "system errors," "account verification," or "tax payments," coercing victims into transferring more funds. In reality, the website was merely a tool to lure victims into transferring money into bank accounts controlled by the Chinese group, rather than an actual gambling platform. Hai Phong City Police launched a special investigation, collaborating with relevant departments of the Ministry of Public Security and Lao authorities to dismantle the operation. On June 7, law enforcement jointly apprehended 57 suspects in Bokeo Province, Laos, including 5 Chinese nationals, 7 Myanmar nationals, and 45 Vietnamese nationals. The foreign suspects are being handled by Lao authorities, while the 45 Vietnamese individuals were repatriated to Hai Phong. Preliminary statistics from six related bank accounts indicate that from April 1 to June 7, 2026, the group defrauded victims of over VND44.5 billion. Source: VnExpress