More than 200 arrested as Vietnam cracks down on Cambodia-based cyber scam ring
The criminal investigation marks a significant achievement in the fight against transnational crime of Vietnamese police.
THE HANOI TIMES — Police in the northern province of Tuyen Quang have successfully dismantled a large transnational online fraud syndicate in Cambodia, arresting 205 Vietnamese nationals and repatriating 74 of them.
Tuyen Quang police detain 205 Vietnamese nationals working for online fraud operations. Photos: Tuyen Quang Province’s Department of Public Security
According to Major General Nguyen Duc Thuan, Director of the provincial Department of Public Security, the crackdown took place on January 12, when Tuyen Quang police officers coordinated with the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security’s Criminal Police Department, and policemen in Vietnam's southern province of Tay Ninh, the ministry’s representative office in Cambodia and the Royal Cambodian Police to raid several compounds in Bavet City, Svay Rieng Province, Cambodia.
Thuan described the case as the largest transnational fraud operation ever discovered by Tuyen Quang police, involving a complex network and illicit proceeds totaling hundreds of billions of Vietnamese dong (VND100 billion = US$3.8 million).
"During the raids, police seized 10 computers and 25 mobile phones that have been used for criminal activities. The scam rings were led by Chinese nationals and based entirely in Cambodia," said Thuan.
Tuyen Quang police escort 74 suspects from Cambodia back to Vietnam on January 15.
The syndicate employed multiple scam tactics, including impersonating police officers, electricity workers and tax officials. Victims were tricked into installing fake electronic household registration apps or clicking malicious links.
Once accessed, the malware allowed scammers to take control of victims’ phones and steal money from banking apps and digital wallets.
"Initial findings revealed thousands of victims in Tuyen Quang and other provinces had been defrauded. Preliminary confessions from the suspects revealed their involvement in hundreds of fraud cases across the country," said the director.
Major General Nguyen Duc Thuan (first right in front line), Director of the provincial Department of Public Security, directly questions Vietnamese suspects working for online fraud operations in Cambodia.
The ring is so sophisticated, featuring a clear chain of command, distinct divisions of labor and a tiered salary system. Members received systematic training in fraudulent techniques and in how to respond if apprehended by authorities.
To expand its operations, the suspects continuously recruited Vietnamese citizens to work in Cambodia.
All suspects have been detained under Clause 4, Article 174 of Vietnam's Penal Code for "swindling to appropriate property." Investigations are ongoing to identify additional members of the syndicate and bring them to justice in accordance with the law.
