Nghe An: Authorities dismantle large-scale gambling ring, arrest 11 suspects.

Throw the net

In early March 2021, through preliminary investigations, the Vinh City Police discovered a network.gambleThey operate in a mobile network within the area. Notably, this network is led and organized by notorious criminals, making it highly professional.

Under the direction of the provincial police leadership, the Vinh City Police established a special task force to combat and dismantle the criminal ring.

At 5 PM on March 10th, police surrounded and raided house number 4, alley 101, Le Quy Don Street, Hung Loc commune, Vinh City, the private residence of Hoang Van Trung (born in 1986), catching the suspects red-handed while gambling.

At the scene, authorities seized 15 mobile phones, one car used to transport gamblers, 879 laminated 1,000 dong banknotes, and 150 million dong in cash.

11 suspects at the police station. Photo: Trong Tuan

Simultaneously, the police escorted 11 individuals to the headquarters for investigation and clarification. Among these 11 individuals, 4 were organizers of the gambling operation: Nguyen Van Cuong (born 1991), Nguyen Trong Dan (born 1990), Nguyen Van Ha (born 1990), all residing in Nghi Phu commune, Vinh City; and Thai Thanh Thuy (born 1988, residing in Huong Son district, Ha Tinh province); 1 was the owner of the gambling den, Hoang Van Trung; and 6 were participants in the gambling: Nguyen Viet Cuong (born 1985, Nghi Phu commune), Nguyen Dinh The (born 1990, Ha Huy Tap ward); Nguyen Thi Tuyet Nhung (born 1992, residing in Nghi Phu commune, Vinh City); Nguyen Huu Lam (born 1996, Anh Son district), Vo Trong Tu (born 1985, Nghi Loc district); and Duong Van Tuong (born 1978, residing in Hung Nguyen district).

Prepare the gambling den thoroughly.

The ringleader of this gambling operation is Nguyen Van Cuong (born in 1991, residing in Nghi Phu commune, Vinh City). He has a criminal record and had just finished serving a prison sentence in 2019. Cuong directly organized the gambling dens and hired three other individuals with specific tasks.

In this operation, Nguyen Trong Dan (born 1990, residing in Nghi Phu commune, Vinh City) was responsible for managing the gambling den, keeping records, and preparing the tools and equipment for gambling. Nguyen Van Ha (born 1990, residing in Nghi Phu commune, Vinh City) was responsible for transporting the gamblers to the pre-arranged gambling location. And Thai Thanh Thuy (born 1988, residing in Huong Son, Ha Tinh) played the role of guarding and protecting the premises, reporting any suspicious activity immediately so that evidence could be disposed of promptly. Each person was paid 1 million VND per day by Nguyen Van Cuong.

Evidence seized in the case. Photo: Quynh Trang

Each day, the suspects chose a different location to organize gambling. These locations were carefully surveyed and selected by Nguyen Van Cuong to ensure they met the conditions to evade law enforcement, such as being far from residential areas, having sturdy surrounding walls, and having surveillance cameras. Cuong paid each homeowner 2-3 million VND for renting the gambling den.

The convention is that 1 million dong is equivalent to 1,000 dong.

The gamblers were notified by Cuong to go to a specific location and were transported by private car to the pre-arranged gambling den.

To evade law enforcement, the ringleader laminated 1,000 VND banknotes with Cường's signature and stipulated that each 1,000 VND note was equivalent to 1 million VND. Upon entering the gambling den, gamblers would directly meet Cường to exchange cash for these "1,000 VND cards." Each day, the ring organized two gambling sessions and collected a 1 million VND fee from each participant.

The ringleader, Nguyen Van Cuong. Photo: Quynh Trang

At the police station, the suspects initially confessed to only betting 1,000 VND, but with the compelling evidence and sharp reasoning of the police, they were forced to admit their criminal act.

Currently, the Criminal Investigation Department (Vinh City Police) is holding 11 suspects in custody for legal processing and is continuing to expand the investigation.