On August 24, the Criminal Police Department of Thanh Hoa Provincial Police announced the dismantling of a particularly large-scale fraud and property appropriation ring involving thousands of billions of dong, led by Nguyen Thanh Tung, 36, from Quang Chinh commune, Thanh Hoa province.

According to the provincial police, through investigation and verification, the Criminal Police Department determined that a group of suspects used the social network Facebook, creating multiple fake fan pages impersonating celebrities to post content advertising online money-making opportunities from home by watching videos.

Using this method, the suspect group targeted women nationwide, employing the tactic of “easy work, high salary” to lure victims into participating.

When victims fell into the trap, the suspects demanded deposits and fees, then appropriated all of the money.

From 2023 to the present, the suspects have defrauded thousands of victims, with the total amount appropriated reaching thousands of billions of dong.

To conceal their criminal activities and evade authorities, Nguyen Thanh Tung established the Phuong Hoang Company with its headquarters in Cambodia, hiring dozens of Vietnamese people to participate in various roles.

To legalize the illicit funds and hide criminal activities, Nguyen Thanh Tung and his accomplices created and purchased multiple bank accounts under the names of shell companies.

The suspects conducted numerous circular transfers through multiple individuals to launder money via banking transactions and goods trading.

Breaking a trillion-dong fraud ring led by Vietnamese in Cambodia - Image 3.

Using professional measures and collected evidence and documents, by August 24, the Investigation Police Agency of Thanh Hoa Provincial Police had prosecuted and temporarily detained 7 defendants including: Nguyen Thanh Tung, 36, residing in Quang Chinh commune, Thanh Hoa province for “property appropriation” and “money laundering”; Huynh Tan Trong, 29, residing in Dai Hai commune, Can Tho City for “fraudulent appropriation of property”.

Defendants Le Tan Sang, 31, residing in Tan Son Nhat ward, Ho Chi Minh City; Nguyen Tien Dung, 25, residing in Vang Danh ward; Ngo Van Thang, 23, residing in Hoanh Bo ward, Quang Ninh province for “fraudulent appropriation of property”.

Two defendants Nguyen Van Hoa, 26, residing in Sam Son ward, Thanh Hoa province and Nguyen Quang Truong, 32, residing in Hoan Kiem ward, Hanoi City for “money laundering”.

Thanh Hoa Provincial Police are continuing their investigation and expanding the case.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam confirmed information that over 140 citizens were temporarily detained in Phnom Penh, Cambodia for involvement in online fraud criminal activities and is coordinating to soon bring them back to the country.

Facebook

Facebook is a social networking service founded in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg and his Harvard University roommates. It began as a campus directory before expanding globally, fundamentally changing how people connect and share information online. It has since grown into a tech giant under its parent company, Meta, which also owns other platforms like Instagram and WhatsApp.

Phuong Hoang Company

I am unable to provide a summary for “Phuong Hoang Company” as it does not appear to be a recognized historical place or cultural site. It is likely a modern business entity, and I do not have information on its specific history or cultural significance in my knowledge base.

Cambodia

Cambodia is a Southeast Asian nation most famous for the magnificent temple complex of Angkor Wat, the heart of the powerful Khmer Empire from the 9th to the 15th centuries. The country has a rich and ancient history, though in the modern era it endured the devastating Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s. Today, it is known for its resilient culture, stunning archaeological sites, and the beautiful capital city of Phnom Penh.

Thanh Hoa province

Thanh Hoa is a coastal province in north-central Vietnam with a long, significant history, having once been the capital of the early Nguyen lords and a major center of the ancient Dai Viet civilization. It is renowned for its historic citadels, such as the Ho Dynasty Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and as the birthplace of several influential Vietnamese dynasties.

Can Tho City

Can Tho is a major city in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, historically established as a cultural and economic hub for the surrounding agricultural region. It is famously known as the gateway to the floating markets, such as Cai Rang, which have operated for centuries and remain a vibrant center of local trade and tourism.

Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is the largest and most bustling city in Vietnam. It served as the capital of the French colony of Cochinchina and later the capital of the Republic of Vietnam until the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. Today, it is a major economic hub where modern skyscrapers stand alongside historic French colonial landmarks like the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon.

Quang Ninh province

Quang Ninh is a coastal province in northeastern Vietnam, renowned for being home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ha Long Bay. Its history is deeply tied to its geography, having been a significant trading post and a center for coal mining in Vietnam for over a century. Today, its economy is defined by a blend of its industrial heritage and its thriving tourism industry centered on its spectacular natural landscapes.

Hanoi City

Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and one of the most ancient capitals in the world, with a history dating back over a thousand years to 1010 AD when it was established by Emperor Lý Thái Tổ. The city is renowned for its rich culture, featuring a blend of Southeast Asian, Chinese, and French influences visible in its well-preserved colonial architecture, ancient pagodas, and the iconic Old Quarter.