A transnational gambling operation led by Chinese nationals and disguised as a foreign-based business processed more than VND4 trillion ($154 million) in online betting transactions through a sophisticated payment-handling system.
Suspects involved in the gambling and gambling organization network operating in Laos. Photo: Minh Khoi
On June 8, the Investigation Security Agency of Quang Tri Provincial Police announced that it had launched criminal proceedings into charges of "Organizing gambling," "Gambling," and "Illegal collection, storage and disclosure of bank account information."
Authorities have prosecuted 53 suspects on charges of organizing gambling, placed 34 suspects in temporary detention and imposed travel restrictions on 19 others.
According to investigators, at the beginning of 2026, the Cybersecurity and High-Tech Crime Prevention Division of Quang Tri Police detected unusual activities linked to the online gambling platform OKWIN.
Electronic evidence showed that behind the deposit and withdrawal transactions was a professionally organized intermediary payment network involving numerous individuals operating both inside and outside Vietnam.
Assessing the case as a large-scale, sophisticated operation with foreign involvement, the Ministry of Public Security assigned Quang Tri Police to lead the investigation in coordination with the Ministry's representative office in Laos and Lao law enforcement authorities.
Evidence seized during the investigation. Photo: Minh Khoi
From May 4 to 13, a task force from Quang Tri Police traveled to Laos to gather evidence. Inspections at two locations in Kaysone Phomvihane City, Savannakhet Province, uncovered the activities of 56 Vietnamese nationals and one Chinese national connected to the network.
According to the investigation, after Cambodian authorities intensified crackdowns on high-tech crime, Chinese operators relocated their activities to Laos in February 2026 and established ASM Company as a front.
Posing as a financial services provider, ASM allegedly functioned as a money-transfer hub between online gambling operators and bettors, earning commissions ranging from 0.3% to 0.8% of total daily transaction values.
To maintain operations, the suspects recruited large numbers of Vietnamese workers to Laos, where they worked in a closed environment and were assigned to specialized departments.
The customer service division operated around the clock, using Telegram and ASM PAY software to process gambling-related transactions.
Suspects Trieu Khac Luan and Vay Len Phat at the investigation agency. Photo: Tran Tuan
Since February 2026, the system had reportedly handled around VND40 billion (USD1.54 million) in gambling transactions every day. Investigators estimate that total transactions involving players in Vietnam exceeded VND4 trillion (USD154 million).
The money was subsequently routed through the MIA exchange platform, converted into UST cryptocurrency and passed through multiple stages designed to legitimize the funds before ultimately being transferred to China.
Investigators identified Trieu Khac Luan, born in 1987 and residing in Ho Chi Minh City, and Vay Len Phat, born in 1995 and residing in Dong Nai Province, as two key figures overseeing the system's operations.
On May 13, Vietnamese and Lao authorities transferred 56 Vietnamese suspects and 140 electronic devices connected to the case for further investigation.
Authorities also successfully tracked down and arrested Luan and Phat after four days on the run.
The investigation remains ongoing. Quang Tri Police, working with specialized units of the Ministry of Public Security and local police forces, is continuing to expand the probe, review transaction accounts and identify individuals who participated in gambling activities through related gaming portals.
Vietnamnet.vn
Podcast
.svg){kind=icon}
