Authorities dismantled an illegal lottery ring that generated over 1 billion VND in daily winnings, arresting 16 suspects.

Accordingly, on the night of April 14, 2023, the Hoang Mai Town Police, in coordination with the Criminal Police Department and the Mobile Police Department of Nghe An Province, deployed 17 task forces with hundreds of officers and soldiers to approach and raid various locations, arresting and apprehending 16 suspects, including 3 suspects from northern provinces; 13 suspects from Hoang Mai town and Quynh Luu district (Nghe An Province), seizing 664,247,000 VND in cash, 2 hard drives, 40 mobile phones, 1 car, 3 motorcycles, and other evidence.

Police officers conduct a search at the scene. Photo: Phan Tuyet

Authorities have initially determined that the amount of money transacted by the suspects for gambling on April 14, 2023, was approximately 1.2 billion VND. The police also determined that from the end of 2022 to the present, the total amount of money gambled by the suspects has exceeded 100 billion VND.

Previously, through intelligence gathering, the Hoang Mai Town Police discovered a gambling ring operating through lottery and number betting with a very large daily transaction volume. The ringleader had established a network of branches in many areas of Hoang Mai town, Quynh Luu district, and in northern provinces.

The suspects at the police station. Photo: Ho Hung

This is an organized gambling ring, operating discreetly, with close links between members, employing sophisticated methods to erase traces of crime, and utilizing high technology, affecting security and order in the area.

In response to this situation, the leaders of the Hoang Mai town police reported to the provincial police leadership to establish a special task force to combat and dismantle the aforementioned group of suspects.

Currently, the investigation into this case is ongoing and being expanded.