90 foreigners charged over $1.94mn fraud scheme in Vietnam

Major General Nguyen Quoc Toan, spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Security, provided the update at a government press briefing on Wednesday.

The case involves 113 foreign nationals from countries including China, India, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Myanmar.

So far, investigators have charged and detained 94 suspects, including 90 foreigners and four Vietnamese nationals, an increase of five from the previously announced figure.

The investigation covers offenses involving the use of computer networks, telecommunications networks, and electronic devices to appropriate property under Article 290 of Vietnam's Penal Code, as well as organizing illegal stays in Vietnam under Article 348.

Five of the suspects face charges under both articles, while another has been charged with organizing gambling and gambling.

Police are continuing to gather evidence to determine the involvement of the remaining individuals.

Toan said the ministry was determined to combat transnational crime, particularly high-tech offenses and online fraud, which have become increasingly complex.

"All violations of the law committed on Vietnamese territory must be detected and strictly handled in accordance with the law," he said.

He stressed that Vietnam respects and protects the legitimate rights and interests of foreigners but the country would not allow anyone to use its territory for criminal activities.

Toan also urged the public to remain vigilant against suspicious online activities, particularly investment schemes promising unusually high returns, and warned against sharing or lending personal information to unknown individuals.

He called for closer cooperation among police, media organizations, telecommunications providers, and banks to prevent and detect crime.

The case came to light in late October when police raided Van Hoa Hotel in Nghi Son Ward, Thanh Hoa Province, uncovering 113 foreign nationals and seizing electronic equipment allegedly used in the operation.

Preliminary investigations found that the group had defrauded victims of approximately VND50 billion.

According to police, the network was led by Chinese nationals working with Vietnamese accomplices and people of other nationalities.

The group reportedly avoided hiring Vietnamese employees or targeting Vietnamese victims in an apparent attempt to evade detection by local authorities.

Investigations are ongoing.