Police in Ho Chi Minh City have arrested a Taiwanese businessman for operating a high-end prostitution ring under the guise of a KTV-style restaurant named Richy 7, located at No. 7, Street 5, Him Lam Residential Area, Tan Hung Ward.

ban dam 1.png

Suspects arrested in the KTV Richy 7 prostitution case. Photo: Police

According to the Criminal Police Division of the Ho Chi Minh City Police Department, KTV Richy 7 was found to be a front for prostitution and illegal sales of nitrous oxide (N₂O), also known as "laughing gas."

Investigations revealed that the restaurant owner, identified as Taiwanese national Chen Ci Fu, specifically recruited young, attractive women as hostesses who were ready to provide sexual services to customers upon request. The group employed a range of tactics to evade detection, such as requiring escorts to travel in circles before arriving at the agreed meeting point, changing scheduled times frequently, and refusing Vietnamese clients. The rate for each sexual encounter ranged from 5 million to 8 million VND (approximately USD 208 to 333).

The police arrested and pressed charges against Chen Ci Fu (Taiwan), general manager Chen Hung Kai (Taiwan), and two local women, Nguyen Thi Thuy Phuong and Nguyen Thi Thuy Kieu, who acted as brothel madams, for "procuring prostitution."

ban dam 2.png

KTV Richy 7 employed numerous young female escorts for sex services. Photo: Police

ban dam 3.png
KTV Richy 7 operated under the guise of a restaurant but functioned as a sex and drug lounge. Photo: Police

During a search of the premises, authorities seized multiple tanks of nitrous oxide along with inhalation devices. In the course of the extended investigation, police also confiscated an additional 756 N₂O canisters, along with nozzles and balloons used to serve customers engaging in recreational inhalation while singing and partying at the venue.

The investigation confirmed that Chen Ci Fu was the mastermind behind the operation and profited illegally by hundreds of millions of VND from selling nitrous oxide. Vu Thi Loan, the general business manager, was in charge of sourcing the gas under Chen’s direction.

The investigative agency has finalized the case file and officially prosecuted and detained both Chen Ci Fu and Vu Thi Loan for “trading prohibited goods.”

Dam De