Based on a tip-off, a multi-billion VND fraud ring was uncovered.
Based on a complaint from Ms. HTS, authorities dismantled a transnational fraud ring involving tens of billions of Vietnamese dong.
On February 14th, information from the Gia Lai Provincial Police indicated that law enforcement had successfully dismantled a criminal ring that used cyberspace to commit fraud and embezzle tens of billions of VND.
This is a scam ring with dozens of accomplices both domestically and internationally, with "branches" in many Asian countries, colluding with each other through the tactic of enticing people to receive gifts, foreign currency, or documents sent from abroad to Vietnam.
According to investigation documents, Ms. HTS (residing in Thang Loi ward, Pleiku city) had previously filed a report with the Gia Lai Provincial Police regarding being defrauded of over 18 billion VND by individuals using cyberspace.
Based on the victim's report, the Gia Lai Provincial Police Directorate instructed the Cyber Security and High-Tech Crime Prevention Department to lead and coordinate with the Criminal Investigation Department and other professional departments of the Provincial Police to establish a special task force to combat the crime.
Under the direct command of Colonel Nguyen Ngoc Son - Deputy Director of the Provincial Police, Head of the special task force, dozens of detectives were dispatched to Ho Chi Minh City, Ben Tre, Dong Nai, Binh Duong, Ba Ria - Vung Tau... to gather information and verify documents and evidence regarding criminal activities.
Based on the collected documents, the special task force decided to conduct simultaneous urgent searches of the residences of several suspects, seizing 2 laptops, 14 mobile phones, and over 130 million VND in cash; freezing more than 40 bank accounts, confiscating numerous SIM cards, bank cards, and many related items and documents…
Through investigation, authorities have initially identified the perpetrators of the fraud case that defrauded Ms. HTS (Pleiku City, Gia Lai Province) of over 18 billion VND. Simultaneously, they have arrested and prosecuted two individuals, including one foreigner, for the crime."Fraudulent appropriation of property"and "illegally collecting, storing, exchanging, buying, selling, or publicly disclosing information about bank accounts."
During questioning at the investigative agency, the suspects confessed to using various social media platforms to post images and articles impersonating foreign doctors, businessmen, and engineers, then befriending and engaging in romantic conversations with the victims.
After being accepted, the individuals "complained" that they were working in a difficult, war-torn region and currently possessed a large amount of foreign currency and expensive jewelry that they needed someone trustworthy to keep for them and to receive documents to process their return to Vietnam to live.
Once the victim agrees, other individuals impersonating employees of international shipping companies, airport staff, customs officers, tax officials, police officers, etc., contact the victim and demand that they send various fees, taxes, fines, or bribes before they will receive the package containing foreign currency and documents sent from abroad.
Using these tactics, the perpetrators defrauded and misappropriated nearly 100 billion VND and hundreds of thousands of USD from numerous victims in countries such as Japan, the Philippines, Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
To expose this transnational fraud ring, dozens of officers and soldiers sacrificed their Lunar New Year holidays, working tirelessly day and night to gather documents, consolidate evidence, and relentlessly and intelligently fight against this type of crime.
The investigation team is currently continuing to summon other related individuals for questioning, while also gathering documents and evidence to process the case according to the law.
