Authorities dismantled a multi-billion dollar fraud ring based in Cambodia.
On the afternoon of August 23, sources confirmed to reporters that the Criminal Police Department of Thanh Hoa Provincial Police had just dismantled a particularly large-scale online fraud case involving the appropriation of assets worth thousands of billions of VND.
Accordingly, in early June 2025, through monitoring high-tech crimes in cyberspace, the Criminal Police Department of Thanh Hoa Provincial Police discovered a large-scale fraud and money laundering ring. This ring was led by Nguyen Thanh Tung (born in 1989, residing in Thanh Xuan village, Quang Chinh commune, Thanh Hoa province).
To conceal his criminal activities and evade law enforcement, Nguyen Thanh Tung established the Phuong Hoang Company, headquartered in the Kingdom of Cambodia, employing dozens of Vietnamese individuals in various roles. Recognizing this as a criminal network with international connections and sophisticated, cunning methods, the Director of the Provincial Police and the Head of the Criminal Investigation Agency of Thanh Hoa Province directed the Criminal Police Department to establish a special case, mobilizing elite forces and applying a comprehensive range of investigative measures to combat and dismantle it.
The investigation team determined that this was a large-scale online fraud and money laundering ring involving hundreds of individuals both domestically and internationally. The criminals exploited social media, particularly Facebook, creating numerous fake fan pages impersonating celebrities and KOLs (Key Opinion Leaders), then posting advertisements recruiting collaborators to earn money online from home by watching videos. Using this tactic, they primarily targeted women across the country, luring victims with promises of "high profits and easy work."
When victims fall into the trap, the perpetrators demand deposits, transaction fees, etc., and then seize the entire amount. Since 2023 alone, they have defrauded thousands of people, stealing a total of trillions of Vietnamese dong.
To legitimize illicit funds and conceal criminal activities, Nguyen Thanh Tung and his accomplices established and purchased numerous bank accounts under the names of "shell" companies and individuals across the country, carrying out multiple circular transfers and colluding with individuals both domestically and internationally to launder money through bank transactions and the buying and selling of goods.
On June 26, 2025, the Criminal Police Department simultaneously deployed investigative teams and successfully apprehended the suspects in the ring. To date, the Thanh Hoa Provincial Police Investigation Agency has issued decisions to prosecute and temporarily detain 7 ringleaders and key figures in the network, including: Nguyen Thanh Tung (born in 1989, residing in Thanh Xuan village, Quang Chinh commune, Thanh Hoa province) for "Fraudulent appropriation of property" and "Money laundering"; Huynh Tan Trong (born in 1996, residing in Hamlet 7, Dai Hai commune, Can Tho city) for "Fraudulent appropriation of property"; Le Tan Sang (born in 1994, residing at 334 Pham Van Hai, Tan Son Nhat ward, Ho Chi Minh City) for "Fraudulent appropriation of property"; Nguyen Tien Dung (born in 2000, residing in Group 12B, Area 8, Vang Danh ward, Quang Ninh province) for "Fraudulent appropriation of property"; Ngo Van Thang (born 2002, residing in An Bien 2 village, Hoanh Bo ward, Quang Ninh province) is charged with "Fraudulent appropriation of property"; Nguyen Van Hoa (born 1999, residing in Toan Thang neighborhood, Sam Son ward, Thanh Hoa province) is charged with "Money laundering"; and Nguyen Quang Truong (born 1993, residing at 32 Hang Mam, Hoan Kiem ward, Hanoi) is charged with "Money laundering". The Criminal Police Department of Thanh Hoa province is continuing its investigation, expanding the case, and pursuing the remaining suspects for strict legal prosecution.
The successful dismantling of a particularly large-scale high-tech crime ring led by Nguyen Thanh Tung demonstrates the determination and efforts of the Thanh Hoa Police force in combating "anonymous" cybercrime. This also serves as a warning to the public, especially housewives and those seeking online part-time work: be vigilant and cautious of offers of "easy work with high pay," and avoid being exploited, deceived, or having your assets stolen by cybercriminals.
