Ha Noi Police have detained a person who allegedly led a prostitution ring involving many young girls across the country, the Criminal Police Department said.

Nguyễn Thị Thanh Hợi at the police station. She is charged with procuring prostitutes. — Photo cand.com.vn

After a long investigation, Ha Noi Police in co-ordination with the police in the central Nghe An Province arrested Nguyễn Thị Thanh Hợi, 30, in Vinh City yesterday.

She has been charged with procuring prostitutes, police said.

Hợi already has been previously convicted, once for procuring prostitutes and twice for gambling.

In Hợi's ring, she chose many girls from the local area and the northern provinces, including students who offered sex for VND5 million (about US$230).

She sent online photos to customers and required them to transfer 50 per cent of the amount to her account in advance. Then Hợi ordered the girls to accompany the customers for "sex tours" to many provinces and cities nationwide.

Hợi received 30 per cent of the total money from each client, police said.

On receiving information about a sex tour in Ha Noi, the police raided a hotel in Cau Giay District and caught two prostitutes with clients.

Police are expanding their investigation to track down the other members of Hợi's ring.

VNS