Vietnamese woman accused of running $12mn fraud ring in Cambodia

Police officers launched the operation after months of gathering evidence against a network accused of running large-scale online fraud schemes targeting victims nationwide.

With authorization from the Ministry of Public Security, Lai Chau police worked with the Criminal Police Department of Vietnam, Vietnam's police liaison office in Cambodia, and Cambodian law enforcement to conduct a coordinated raid on October 28.

Authorities arrested 59 Vietnamese nationals at Bokor Hill, part of the Bokor Eco Park complex in Cambodia's Kampot Province, where the suspects were allegedly running their illegal operations.

Investigators said the group posed as delivery workers, police officers, and soldiers, or engaged in romance scams to deceive victims into transferring money.

The group is believed to have defrauded more than 8,000 people across Vietnam, taking over VND300 billion.

Police identified Sung Thi Mai, also known as Vi, 26, from Lao Cai Province, as the suspected leader of the ring. 

She and other key members were taken into custody during the operation.

Cambodian authorities later handed over all 59 suspects, along with seized evidence, to Lai Chau police for further investigation, officials said.

The case was uncovered following the earlier investigation launched by Lai Chau police in June 2025, when four members of the group were first arrested.

With the latest operation, a total of 66 suspects have now been detained in connection with the case.

Lai Chau police said that they are completing the procedures to receive the suspects through the border gate before transferring them to Vietnam for further investigation.