Hanoi police bust international scam ring involving Chinese, Japanese suspects

The Immigration Office under the municipal police department recently carried out simultaneous raids on four suspected residences, including apartments in Ciputra Urban Area in Phu Thuong Ward and apartment 1903, Tower S, Mipec Building on Xuan Thuy Street, Cau Giay Ward.

Authorities uncovered a cross-border, organized cyber scam operation.

Officers identified seven foreign suspects, including three Chinese nationals and four Japanese nationals, suspected of committing online fraud.

Among them, Z.H., a Chinese national, was identified as the mastermind.

Preliminary findings show that since August 2025, the group members had impersonated Japanese police, prosecutors, and courts.

They contacted Japanese citizens, claiming their personal data were linked to crimes.

The victims were coerced into transferring cryptocurrency (Ethereum) for 'investigation purposes.'

Police estimated the total amount swindled at about VND11 billion.

During the raids, officers seized 65 mobile phones, 19 tablets, three laptops, 12 walkie-talkies, four Japanese police uniforms, and a quantity of Vietnamese dong in cash.

This case follows a January bust in Hanoi, where another Chinese-led transnational cyber fraud ring used South Korean nationals to defraud South Korean citizens.