Authorities in Hung Yen have arrested dozens of suspects connected to a large-scale online network accused of copyright infringement, illegal gambling and distributing explicit content.
Authorities say the online system linked to websites such as XoilacTV and ThapcamTV formed part of a large-scale network involved in copyright infringement, illegal gambling and the distribution of explicit content, with a total value approaching VND1 trillion (US$39 million).
Who ran the “Xoi Lac TV” system?
The two alleged ringleaders Pham Nguyen D. and Nguyen Cong D. at the police station. Photo: Police.
Regarding the dismantling of the “Xoi Lac TV” network, Hung Yen provincial police said the Investigation Police Agency had arrested 38 suspects accused of using high technology to infringe copyright and related rights, organize gambling and spread obscene content.
The activities occurred in Hung Yen and several other provinces and cities, with an estimated scale of nearly VND1 trillion (US$39 million).
The illegal operations were carried out through widely known websites such as XoilacTV, ThapcamTV, CakeoTV, Banhkhuc, 8XBET, Hbet and Lu88.
Specifically, in February 2026, the Criminal Police Division of Hung Yen provincial police coordinated with professional units under the Cybersecurity and High-Tech Crime Prevention Department (A05) of the Ministry of Public Security to summon, arrest and conduct urgent searches against 38 suspects.
The group was allegedly led by Pham Nguyen D. (born 1979, residing in Hanoi) and Nguyen Cong D. (born 1993, residing in Hanoi).
During the arrests and searches, investigators seized 20 laptops, 35 high-performance desktop computers, three tablets, 64 smartphones and four sets of specialized livestream equipment used for commentary.
Authorities also froze 58 bank accounts and confiscated cash, cars and other assets. The total value of seized and frozen assets exceeded VND300 billion (US$12 million).
Initial investigations indicate that the network had been operating for several years with participants from multiple provinces and cities across Vietnam, including Hung Yen, generating illicit profits worth hundreds of billions of dong.
Why do many “Xoi Lac” websites still operate?
Suspects involved in the case at the police station. Photo: Police.
Even after authorities dismantled the “Xoi Lac TV” system, many people can still access other websites using the name “Xoi Lac” to watch pirated football streams.
Colonel Nguyen Huy Luc, head of Division 5 of the A05 department, explained that “Xoi Lac” is a generic name used by multiple websites and links. Many of these sites source their streams and broadcast signals from neighboring countries outside Vietnam.
The A05 department has been implementing various measures to block and neutralize the activities of these websites.
As for the “Xoi Lac TV” system based in Hanoi, investigators have already dismantled the entire network and shut down all websites connected to it.
Colonel Nguyen Huy Luc said the ringleaders of the system used specialized equipment to capture and broadcast sports matches via OTT or satellite signals, then embedded football betting advertisements into the streams.
Notably, the “Xoi Lac TV” system operated with an organized structure and professional setup, including dedicated commentary rooms and modern broadcasting equipment.
Investigators also found that the network recruited young employees with strong technological skills, including university graduates and even master’s degree holders.
Vietnamnet.vn
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