Hanoi Police has issued a warning over increasingly sophisticated schemes carried out by foreign criminal groups, who enter Vietnam on tourist visas, establish front companies, rent apartments, and operate cross-border fraud and online gambling networks.

At a briefing on April 6 regarding several ongoing investigations, authorities revealed that these groups have been shifting operations into Hanoi following intensified crackdowns on cybercrime in parts of Southeast Asia, particularly Cambodia.

According to Hanoi Police, law enforcement agencies have proactively identified the trend and implemented strong preventive and enforcement measures against foreign nationals entering the capital to commit transnational crimes.

Between December 15, 2025 and March 14, 2026, police uncovered three cases involving 58 foreign suspects linked to fraud, online gambling, and illegal entry.

Investigations show that the masterminds, based overseas, directed subordinates to collaborate with Vietnamese accomplices to secure locations, install computer systems, simbox devices, and mobile phones.

Once operational bases were established, a foreign “manager” would be assigned in Vietnam. Additional members were then brought into the country under tourist visas to directly carry out fraud schemes or organize gambling activities targeting victims outside Vietnam.

Authorities noted that the suspects deliberately avoided targeting Vietnamese citizens in an attempt to evade domestic criminal prosecution.

“To mask their activities, the groups set up fake international securities companies as a front,” a police representative said.

The operations were typically divided into small, decentralized teams that frequently changed locations to avoid detection.

Hanoi Police has urged residents, especially landlords and apartment owners, to remain vigilant, promptly report suspicious activities, and provide information on individuals or locations showing signs of illegal operations.

Such cooperation, authorities stressed, is critical to preventing foreign criminal groups from exploiting the city as a base for transnational crimes.

Dinh Hieu - Tien Dung