The agency has prosecuted and ordered the temporary detention of Nguyen Thuy Saly (born 1988, resident of Thoi An Ward, HCMC), Tran Thanh Danh (born 1983, resident of Go Vap Ward, HCMC), Truong Chi Thanh (born 1986, resident of Hang Gon Ward, Dong Nai Province), and Nguyen Thi Thuy Dung (born 1990, resident of Dong Tam Commune, Dong Nai Province) on charges of fraud and property appropriation.

Police identified Nguyen Thuy Saly as the mastermind and ringleader.

According to initial findings, since July 2025, Saly and the others allegedly scammed VND4 billion from N.V.D. (born 1982, resident of Nha Trang Ward, Khanh Hoa Province). D. has a relative who is a defendant in a criminal case currently under investigation by the Criminal Police Department.

Saly and accomplices falsely claimed they had connections and could influence the investigation process to help D.’s relative. After receiving the money, however, the suspects allegedly appropriated it for personal use.

The Criminal Police Department is continuing to expand the investigation to clarify the roles of those involved.

According to the police agency, the subjects' behavior has affected the solemnity of the law and the honor and prestige of the People's Public Security forces in general and the Investigation Agency in particular.

The Criminal Police Department affirms that all investigation, prosecution, and trial activities are carried out in accordance with the law; no individual has the right to unlawfully interfere in the investigation or resolution of criminal cases. The Criminal Police Department also advises citizens to be vigilant against promises to "secure bail," "reduce criminal liability," or "secure an acquittal," as these are all fraudulent tactics to appropriate assets.

The police determined that Nguyen Thuy Saly and her accomplices used AI to create images taken with high-ranking leaders to build trust in order to defraud for "case-fixing" and appropriate money from several people.

According to investigators, through surveillance and monitoring, in early July 2025 the Criminal Police Department, in coordination with Khanh Hoa provincial police, conducted surprise inspections at two well-known entertainment complexes operating under the guise of massage services: Quinter massage on Tran Phu Street and International massage on Nguyen Thien Thuat Street, both in Nha Trang Ward, Khanh Hoa Province.

Hoang Thanh Nha Trang JSC operates Quinter massage, while International massage belongs to International Trade and Tourism JSC.

At both locations, police discovered female massage technicians engaging in prostitution with customers. Authorities brought multiple individuals in for questioning and seized various documents and accounting records.

Based on initial findings, the Criminal Police Department opened a criminal case for “harboring prostitution” and “violating accounting regulations causing serious consequences” at the two companies, and prosecuted 27 individuals involved.

While the case was under investigation, the Criminal Police Department received a report from N.V.D. (born 1982, resident of Nha Trang Ward, Khanh Hoa Province) alleging that Saly’s group had scammed him out of VND4 billion by promising to make illegal interference in judicial proceedings.

D. stated that his wife, L.T.Q., had been prosecuted in the above case. Through Truong Chi Thanh and Nguyen Thi Thuy Dung, he met Saly and Tran Thanh Danh. The group claimed they had relationships with senior leaders who could influence the investigation, first to secure bail for his wife and later to have her avoid conviction.

Trusting these promises, D. transferred VND4 billion to Saly’s group. The promised outcome did not materialize, and the suspects later avoided contact. Suspecting fraud, D. reported the case to authorities.

Following the investigation, the Criminal Police Department prosecuted and temporarily detained Saly and his three accomplices.

Police clarified that Saly and her accomplices had no stable jobs but frequently flaunted wealth and a luxurious lifestyle, claiming to work for various agencies and units. Saly even boasted of working at the Government Office and having relatives who were senior leaders.

The group went further by using AI to edit photos showing themselves posing with senior leaders, then posting the images on personal Facebook accounts to build trust with victims. Among them, D. transferred VND4 billion and was defrauded.

Investigators also found signs that Saly’s group used other scam methods, including selling slots for social housing purchases, offering overseas visa services, and arranging real estate documents.

The Criminal Police Department urged other victims of Nguyen Thuy Saly and her accomplices to promptly contact authorities to support the expanded investigation.

T. Nhung