Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City say they have broken up several closed-door scam networks linked to foreign nationals during a 45-day security crackdown.
As part of a 45-day campaign to clean up the area, Ho Chi Minh City Police launched a coordinated operation that dismantled multiple networks accused of arranging illegal stays for foreign nationals to operate large-scale high-tech scam centers.
On June 21, Ho Chi Minh City Police said they are continuing to expand investigations into a series of cases involving the offense of "Organizing illegal residence in Vietnam for others." The cases emerged from a coordinated operation carried out by 22 task forces led by the Immigration Management Division, working alongside specialized units and local police.
Initial inspections of 1,616 accommodation facilities found 160 establishments in violation of temporary residence reporting regulations. Authorities also handled nearly 311 foreign nationals accused of violations related to immigration, illegal employment, gambling and unlawful residence.
Police caught foreign suspects installing equipment at Bao Ly Guesthouse in Thuan Giao Ward. Photo: CACC The guesthouse owner and the alleged ringleaders. Photo: CACC
Police said they repeatedly uncovered and disrupted groups of foreign nationals suspected of using Ho Chi Minh City as a base for transnational online fraud activities. The groups typically operated in closed and sophisticated environments.
Specifically, on May 18, police conducted an administrative inspection of Bao Ly Guesthouse in Thuan Giao Ward. Officers discovered 85 Chinese nationals residing illegally at the property. Authorities seized nearly 200 desktop computers and laptops, along with more than 550 mobile phones.
Investigators identified the operation as being led by Dai Fei, also known as Lei Long, together with Hu Guoyu and Zhou Wendong under the direction of an individual based overseas. The group entered Vietnam to survey locations, rent premises and install network infrastructure to establish an online scam center targeting foreign nationals, primarily Chinese citizens, through schemes involving fake e-commerce activities, financial investments and stock trading.
Expanding the investigation, police arrested Quach Thi Hue, born in 1990, the owner of several accommodation facilities. Authorities allege that Hue assisted the group by allowing them to stay without checking identity documents and without reporting their residence to authorities.
On June 8, police dismantled another group involving 83 Chinese nationals who had illegally entered Vietnam from Cambodia and were staying at Emerald Gold Hotel in Binh Duong Ward. The hotel was leased and managed by Pham Thi Huynh Nhu and Pham Thanh Son, who allegedly coordinated with foreign suspects to gather personnel and equipment.
Investigators determined that the networks had largely completed equipment installation and staff training. However, authorities intervened in time and dismantled the entire system before the suspects could begin carrying out fraud and asset appropriation schemes.
High-tech crime groups shifting locations
A group of 83 Chinese nationals were installing equipment at Emerald Gold Hotel in Binh Duong Ward when police dismantled the operation before it became active. Photo: CACC Evidence seized by authorities. Photo: CACC A group of Chinese nationals found residing in Hiep Binh Ward to establish a scam compound. Photo: CACC
Most recently, on June 17, police raided a house in Hiep Binh Ward, where they found 42 Chinese nationals residing illegally. Officers seized 132 mobile phones and 77 tablet computers.
Initial findings indicate that after Cambodian authorities tightened management measures, criminal groups led by foreign nationals have increasingly shifted their operations into Vietnam.
Earlier in 2026, the suspects allegedly worked with Nguyen Hong Thao Nhi, born in 1992, to rent the property and install bunk beds and high-speed internet infrastructure to manage personnel under a strict "no one enters, no one leaves" model.
Two suspects, Fan HaiMing and Cao JiaLiang, were assigned to enter Vietnam and directly manage and operate the network. Investigators said the group had already begun carrying out scam activities targeting Chinese citizens.
The Investigation Security Agency of Ho Chi Minh City Police has launched criminal proceedings and ordered the detention of Dai Fei, Hu Guoyu, Zhou Wendong, Quach Thi Hue, Pham Thanh Son, Pham Thi Huynh Nhu, Fan HaiMing, Cao JiaLiang and Nguyen Hong Thao Nhi on charges of "Organizing illegal residence in Vietnam for others" under Article 348 of the Penal Code.
To date, during the 45-day campaign, the agency has prosecuted eight cases involving 26 defendants, including nine foreign nationals, six owners or managers of accommodation facilities and seven brokers.
Vietnamnet.vn
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