The Ho Chi Minh City People's Court on June 18 convicted Tran Nhuan Gia, also known as Wong Danny Gia, a US citizen, of trafficking persons under the age of 16.

Co-defendant Tran Thi Cam Tu, 31, received a sentence of 13 years for child trafficking and an additional six months for forging documents, bringing her total sentence to 13 years and six months.

Five other defendants involved in the case were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 11 to 12 years.

According to prosecutors, police in Ho Chi Minh City received multiple reports from residents on May 22, 2024, regarding an apartment in the Xi Grand residential complex in District 10 where several children of unclear origin were reportedly being raised.

When authorities inspected the apartment, they found three children born in 2018, 2022 and 2024. Gia and an associate, Doan Le Quoc Huy, were subsequently summoned for questioning.

Investigators said the two men admitted obtaining the children through Facebook groups dedicated to adoption arrangements.

According to testimony presented in court, Huy agreed to assist Gia by transporting the children, handling exchanges and making payments connected to the acquisition of children in return for a monthly salary of VND10 million, equivalent to about $380.

Acting on Gia's instructions, Huy rented the apartment and cared for the children there.

Network operated through Facebook adoption groups

Investigators later identified several additional individuals involved in the operation, including Vo Thi Hong, Le Thi Dieu Lien, Nguyen Thi Huyen Tran, Tran Thi Cam Tu and Nguyen Thi Hong Tham.

Authorities said Gia regularly monitored Facebook groups named "Cho nhan con nuoi" and "Cho nhan con nuoi 2" (Give and Receive Adoption) to find parents facing financial hardship and negotiate arrangements involving their children.

In one case during 2023, a woman identified as Huynh Thi D., who was experiencing financial difficulties, joined one of the groups and came into contact with Gia.

Gia agreed to take custody of her son and promised financial support of VND40 million, approximately $1,520. However, because the required birth registration and guardianship paperwork could not be completed, he ultimately paid only VND13 million, or about $495.

Through another Facebook group, Gia was introduced by Tu and Lien to a woman who was unable to pay hospital expenses after giving birth. Prosecutors said she agreed to hand over her newborn child in exchange for VND45 million, approximately $1,710.

Tu and Nguyen Thi Huyen Tran later introduced another child, for whom Gia allegedly paid VND35 million, roughly $1,330.

Gia instructed Huy to complete the transactions, deliver the money and take custody of the children.

After obtaining the children, Gia did not complete the legal procedures required for foreign nationals seeking to adopt children in Vietnam.

Instead, investigators said he attempted to legitimize the arrangements through forged documents.

Authorities determined that Gia purchased a fake birth certificate through Facebook for one child and asked Tu to create falsified DNA test results purporting to show a biological relationship between him and another child. The documents were intended to support the issuance of birth certificates, visas and exit procedures.

Gia told investigators that the purpose of the forged paperwork was to enable the children to obtain visas and settle in the United States.

Prosecutors also said Tu's group attempted to arrange the transfer of two additional newborns for financial gain.

At trial, the defendants admitted the conduct outlined in the indictment.

Gia argued that he was motivated by the difficult circumstances described by the children's mothers and believed he was providing the children with a better future. The court, however, determined that the transactions constituted child trafficking and imposed prison sentences on all defendants involved.

Thanh Phuong