Ho Chi Minh City police bust online scam ring involving 42 Chinese nationals

Police officers on Sunday instituted a criminal case and detained Fan Haiming, Cao Jialiang, and Nguyen Hong Thao Nhi for investigation into allegations of organizing the illegal stay of foreigners in Vietnam.

The arrests followed a residency inspection on June 17 at a house in Hiep Binh Ward, where authorities found 42 Chinese nationals staying in violation of local regulations.

Police seized 132 mobile phones, 77 tablets, seven laptops, telecommunications equipment, and electronic data that investigators said showed signs of being used for online fraud activities.

Investigators determined that the property had been selected by a group of foreign nationals as a centralized accommodation and operational site.

They rented the entire house and equipped it with high-speed Internet connections, bunk beds, and electronic devices under what police described as a closed operating model.

Authorities said the facility was intended to support a fraud network targeting Chinese citizens.

Individuals staying at the residence were subject to strict controls on their daily activities and movements, while operations were directed by organizers based overseas.

Preliminary findings suggest some Chinese-led criminal networks have shifted operations to Vietnam after Cambodian authorities intensified crackdowns on cybercrime groups operating in the country earlier this year.

According to investigators, an unidentified foreign national contacted Nguyen Hong Thao Nhi, 34, earlier this year to rent the property and prepare it as a base for a group of Chinese nationals.

After securing the location, the group installed high-capacity Internet systems, equipped the house with bunk beds, modified the premises for communal living, and made other preparations for its activities.

In early May, Fan Haiming and Cao Jialiang entered Vietnam from Cambodia, police said. 

Additional Chinese nationals were subsequently brought to the residence, where they remained until the inspection.

Fan Haiming was responsible for personnel management, monitoring operations, and enforcing internal discipline, while Cao Jialiang oversaw logistics, controlled access to the property, and ensured living arrangements for those staying there.

According to investigation documents, the suspects operated under a clearly defined division of responsibilities, covering the rental of the property, accommodation arrangements, personnel management, and the preparation of infrastructure needed for their activities.

Investigators determined that the group had carried out online fraud operations targeting Chinese citizens.