Vietnam Transnational Scam Ring: 84 Suspects Charged in Fraud Investigation
Authorities in Vietnam’s north-central Thanh Hoa Province have launched criminal proceedings against 84 suspects in a major transnational scam investigation involving alleged online fraud, cryptocurrency schemes and illegal entry into the country.
Police initiated the proceedings on Wednesday, accusing the suspects of using computer networks, telecommunications networks and electronic devices to fraudulently obtain property. The case also involves allegations of organising illegal entry into or stays in Vietnam.
The investigation follows the discovery of a group of foreign nationals staying at a hotel in Nghi Son Ward. Authorities said several members had allegedly entered Vietnam illegally, while one individual was wanted by foreign authorities.
According to police, the group allegedly targeted victims in Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, India, the United States and mainland China through financial investment schemes, cryptocurrency fraud, sports betting, fake recruitment offers and fraudulent online job assignments.
84 Suspects Charged in Vietnam Transnational Scam Investigation
Thanh Hoa police said authorities had arrested 118 suspects as of Wednesday, including 113 foreign nationals and five Vietnamese citizens.
The foreign nationals reportedly included 74 Chinese citizens, 28 Indian citizens, nine Cambodian citizens, one Malaysian citizen and one Myanmar citizen.
Investigators allege that members of the group were assigned different roles in schemes designed to obtain money from victims through online platforms and electronic communications.
The reported activities covered several forms of fraud, including investment opportunities, cryptocurrency-related transactions, sports betting and fake job offers.
The case highlights the cross-border nature of online fraud, in which alleged perpetrators operating in one country can target victims in multiple international markets.
For further coverage of international criminal investigations, readers can explore Newsaih’s report on Nigerian nationals extradited to the United States.
Hanoi Police Dismantle Alleged Japanese Police Impersonation Scam
Vietnamese authorities uncovered another alleged transnational cyber fraud operation in Hanoi in March, arresting seven foreign suspects accused of defrauding victims in Japan of approximately VND11 billion, equivalent to about US$420,000.
Police said the suspects allegedly impersonated Japanese police officers and judicial officials. They contacted Japanese citizens and claimed the victims’ personal information was connected to criminal investigations.
The victims were allegedly pressured into transferring Ethereum cryptocurrency under the pretext that the payments were required for investigative purposes.
During raids, officers seized 65 mobile phones, 19 tablets, three laptops, 12 walkie-talkies, four Japanese police uniforms and Vietnamese dong in cash.
The suspects reportedly included three Chinese nationals and four Japanese nationals.
The case illustrates how alleged fraudsters can exploit trust in law enforcement authorities to pressure victims into transferring money or cryptocurrency.
Bac Ninh Police Investigate Online Investment and Cryptocurrency Fraud
In June, police in Bac Ninh City, northern Vietnam, uncovered a group of 23 foreign nationals who were allegedly staying illegally in the city and operating online fraud schemes.
According to the report, the suspects used computers and mobile phones equipped with the HelloGPT application to access multiple Telegram, Zalo and WhatsApp accounts simultaneously.
They allegedly used these accounts to create online groups promoting stock investments, USDT trading and cryptocurrency purchases through unofficial electronic trading platforms.
Investigators said another group allegedly manipulated the platforms’ technical systems to alter investment outcomes and obtain victims’ money after deposits were made.
The suspects were also accused of promoting online shopping tasks that promised commissions. Victims were reportedly given increasingly expensive purchasing assignments before being asked to pay larger sums of money. When the amounts became substantial, the alleged fraudsters would take the funds.
Readers can also follow related international crime coverage in Newsaih’s report on a Kenyan woman arrested in a cocaine case.
Eleven Chinese Nationals Arrested in Alleged Online Scam Targeting French Citizens
In July, police in Bac Ninh Province arrested 11 Chinese nationals suspected of involvement in an online fraud operation targeting French citizens through a fake e-commerce platform.
According to investigators, the suspects allegedly used Facebook accounts posing as French citizens to approach victims and build relationships using prepared scripts.
After gaining their trust, the alleged fraudsters collected banking information and directed victims to Telegram groups populated by accounts they controlled.
These accounts reportedly created the appearance of active trading and profitable investments, encouraging victims to deposit increasingly large sums.
When victims tried to withdraw their money, the suspects allegedly claimed their accounts had been frozen or demanded taxes and additional fees. Investigators said these tactics prevented withdrawals while the victims’ funds were appropriated.
The case demonstrates the alleged use of social engineering, fabricated trading activity and false withdrawal requirements in online investment fraud.
Six Filipino Nationals Arrested Over Alleged Card-Game Scam
Police in Ho Chi Minh City arrested six Philippine nationals in July over an alleged card-game scam that reportedly defrauded foreign tourists of approximately US$10,000.
According to the report, the suspects primarily targeted elderly tourists travelling alone. After establishing trust, members of the group allegedly persuaded victims to accompany them to a rented location.
Some suspects reportedly posed as friendly strangers who invited tourists to participate in card games, while another allegedly pretended to be a wealthy participant. Staged victories were used to create the impression that the game offered an easy way to make money.
Investigators said the group then encouraged victims to increase their stakes and withdraw cash by claiming that participants needed to demonstrate their financial capacity.
The suspects allegedly used fake banknotes and distraction techniques to obtain the victims’ money before fleeing.
The arrests form part of a wider pattern of fraud cases reported across Vietnam, involving alleged schemes that range from digital investment deception to face-to-face scams targeting tourists.
For more international crime reporting, readers can visit Newsaih’s coverage of the Wedela tavern massacre.
Key Facts About the Vietnam Transnational Scam Case
- Location: Thanh Hoa Province, north-central Vietnam.
- Latest proceedings: Criminal proceedings were initiated against 84 suspects.
- Total arrests reported: 118 suspects, including 113 foreign nationals and five Vietnamese citizens.
- Nationalities identified: Chinese, Indian, Cambodian, Malaysian and Myanmar nationals among the foreign suspects.
- Alleged schemes: Cryptocurrency and financial investment fraud, sports betting, fake recruitment offers and fraudulent online jobs.
- Reported target markets: Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, India, the United States and mainland China.
- Other investigations: Separate cases in Hanoi, Bac Ninh and Ho Chi Minh City involved alleged online investment fraud, impersonation schemes and card-game scams.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What happened in the Vietnam transnational scam case?
Police in Thanh Hoa Province initiated criminal proceedings against 84 suspects over alleged fraud using computer networks, telecommunications and electronic devices, alongside allegations involving illegal entry or stays in Vietnam.
2. How many suspects have been arrested?
Thanh Hoa police reported 118 arrests as of Wednesday, including 113 foreign nationals and five Vietnamese citizens.
3. Which nationalities were represented among the foreign suspects?
The reported nationalities included 74 Chinese nationals, 28 Indian nationals, nine Cambodian nationals, one Malaysian national and one Myanmar national.
4. What types of scams were allegedly operated?
The alleged schemes included financial investments, cryptocurrency, sports betting, fake recruitment offers and fraudulent online job assignments.
5. Which countries and regions were targeted?
Police said the alleged operations targeted people in Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, India, the United States and mainland China.
6. What happened in the Hanoi cyber fraud case?
Police arrested seven foreign suspects accused of impersonating Japanese police and judicial officials to defraud victims in Japan of approximately VND11 billion.
7. How did the alleged Bac Ninh investment scam work?
Suspects allegedly used online messaging accounts to promote investments in stocks and cryptocurrencies. Investigators said some platforms were manipulated to obtain victims’ money.
8. What was the alleged fake e-commerce scam in Bac Ninh?
Eleven Chinese nationals were arrested over allegations that they used fake online identities, fabricated trading activity and false withdrawal requirements to defraud French citizens.
9. What was the alleged card-game scam in Ho Chi Minh City?
Six Philippine nationals were arrested over allegations that they used staged games and deceptive tactics to obtain money from foreign tourists.
10. Have the suspects been convicted?
The supplied report describes criminal proceedings and arrests. It does not state that the suspects in the Thanh Hoa case have been convicted.
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