During a search of the premises, officers discovered what they described as a workshop serving a high-tech fraud operation.

The site contained numerous internet-connected electronic devices, backdrops and signs designed to imitate foreign law enforcement agencies, as well as prepared call scripts. Investigators also found discarded computers and networking equipment believed to have been thrown away to destroy evidence.

Among the materials recovered were documents in the Malaysian language which, when translated into Vietnamese, referred to the “Kangar District Police Headquarters” in Malaysia.

Authorities believe the group was part of an organized criminal network that chose Vietnam as a base to conduct online fraud targeting victims in Malaysia.

Based on statements obtained from the suspects, police expanded the investigation. Later that same night, officers inspected Nguyen Anh Hotel on Street 18 and another nearby facility linked to the same establishment.

At the two locations, police discovered an additional 21 Malaysian nationals staying in the hotels. Rapid testing found that 18 individuals were positive for narcotics. Officers also seized more suspected drugs and related paraphernalia.

Victim lost US$254,000 in four days

Also on June 4, the Criminal Police Division of Nghe An Province announced that it had worked with the Criminal Police Department under the Ministry of Public Security to dismantle a transnational fraud network and arrest 24 suspects across multiple provinces and cities.

Investigators identified Nguyen Dang Dung, 36, from Nghe An Province, as the alleged mastermind. He was assisted by Pham Van Tung, 31, and Nguyen Dang Hieu, 33, who acted as key managers within the organization.

While working in Cambodia, Dung established a company, recruited staff and built a sophisticated fraud network targeting Vietnamese citizens. The operation was divided into multiple teams, each managed by a supervisor and staffed by six to eight employees.

The fraud scheme followed a four-step process: creating fake online identities and initiating contact, luring victims into assigned tasks, building trust through initial transactions and ultimately defrauding victims of large sums of money.

The network primarily targeted successful men. Members created fake Facebook accounts posing as attractive and financially secure women in order to establish emotional relationships with victims.

Once trust had been built, victims were encouraged to transfer money for supposed online shopping tasks in exchange for high commissions. The suspects then appropriated the funds.

After Cambodian authorities intensified crackdowns on scam compounds, Dung returned to Vietnam and continued directing the operation while moving between provinces to avoid detection.

Between May 20 and May 29, police deployed 24 task forces to simultaneously arrest suspects and conduct emergency searches nationwide.

In addition to mobile phones, computers, vehicles and other evidence linked to fraud activities, officers also seized 20.48 grams of various narcotics.

Investigators said the suspects admitted that between May 2023 and January 2026 they defrauded 63 victims across Vietnam, stealing a total of VND36.5 billion (US$1.4 million).

One victim alone reportedly lost more than VND6.6 billion (US$254,000) in just four days.

Dam De - Tran Tuyen