Vietnam police bust fake document ring operating from Cambodia

Investigators in Thanh Hoa Province, north-central Vietnam charged seven suspects with forging seals and documents of agencies and organizations.

The network was allegedly operated from Bavet in Cambodia’s Svay Rieng Province, where members rented houses and rooms to set up printing equipment and store document blanks, security stickers, and other materials used to manufacture counterfeit papers.

The case came to light after police detected several Facebook pages suspected of advertising fake documents.

The pages allegedly targeted people seeking driver’s licenses, diplomas, and certificates without going through legitimate issuance procedures.

Recognizing signs of an organized network, police launched an investigation to establish how the network operated and identify those involved.

Investigators found that approximately 15 people were involved in the operation and used 37 Facebook pages to advertise services and receive orders.

The suspects ran Facebook advertisements targeting potential customers.

After receiving inquiries, they agreed on the type of document, personal information, and price.

Fake documents were typically delivered within seven to ten days, with prices ranging between VND900,000 ($35) and VND1.4 million ($54), depending on the document.

Customers’ information and photographs were sent to a data-processing team, which used computers and image-editing software to create counterfeit files.

These files were then sent through Telegram groups to the printing team for production.

To conceal financial transactions, the network relied on cash-on-delivery shipping services.

Customers paid upon receiving the forged documents, and the funds were later transferred to accounts controlled by members of the group.

Police said the method complicated efforts to trace money flows and identify beneficiaries.

Investigators found the organization was highly structured, with separate teams responsible for management, advertising, customer acquisition, data processing, printing, packaging, shipping, and monitoring payments.

In mid-October this year, authorities learned that several key suspects had re-entered Vietnam through the Moc Bai border gate in southern Tay Ninh Province.

Police subsequently launched coordinated raids in Tay Ninh, Hanoi, and Ninh Binh, arresting seven individuals.

Officers seized more than 10 computers and printers, nearly 250 document-card blanks, tens of thousands of counterfeit security stickers, and other evidence.

Police identified Nguyen Xuan Truong, 30, a resident of Ninh Binh Province in northern Vietnam, as the alleged ringleader.

Preliminary findings indicate that since early this year, the network had produced and sold more than 100,000 counterfeit documents, including driver's licenses, diplomas, and professional certificates.

Authorities said the investigation is continuing as officers seek additional suspects and examine individuals who purchased or used forged documents.