Vietnamese authorities have uncovered a nationwide vacation contract scam that allegedly used dozens of companies to defraud hundreds of people through false promises of profits and easy transfers.
Hanoi police have uncovered one of Vietnam's largest fraud schemes involving so-called vacation ownership contracts, prosecuting 24 criminal cases and 194 suspects while investigating a network of 27 companies accused of deceiving hundreds of customers through misleading tourism and holiday investment programs.
Police officers question suspects linked to the investigation. Photo: BCA
Authorities say the scheme operated under the guise of legitimate travel and hospitality businesses, using free vacation vouchers, luxury hotel seminars and promises of high returns to lure victims into purchasing expensive vacation ownership packages that ultimately had little or no real value.
As of June 18, investigators had recorded statements from 496 victims and initially determined that more than VND181.9 billion (about USD7 million) had been fraudulently obtained. However, police estimate the total amount of money linked to the criminal activities could exceed VND2.7 trillion (about USD104 million), suggesting the scale of the fraud may be far larger than currently documented.
The investigation began after Hanoi police received numerous complaints from customers who reported being misled by companies selling and transferring vacation ownership contracts, commonly marketed as long-term holiday packages with investment potential.
According to investigators, between 2023 and 2025, multiple groups established 27 companies and assigned specific roles to management teams, sales departments and telemarketing staff. Their objective was to persuade customers to buy, lease or transfer vacation ownership contracts while collecting large upfront payments and brokerage fees.
Among the 23 companies publicly identified as being connected to the investigation are Green Travel Viet Nam, Zo Group, Happy Holiday Travel and Hotel, Sunland Travel, New Stars, Amazing Star, New Era Group, Archi Group, Ravi, Dream Trips, Zesttrip, Golden Vacation, Crystal Bay, Starlux Travel, Viet Nam Cruise Tourism, Global Travel Tour, Viet Tour, Newland Travel, Masa Group, Times Holding, Hoang Kim Card, Symphony and Areana Viet Nam.
Police later confirmed that a total of 27 companies were involved, with investigations into several remaining entities continuing.
Free vouchers and luxury seminars
Police officers question suspects linked to the investigation. Photo: BCA
Investigators say the fraud followed a carefully designed script.
Potential customers were contacted by telephone and informed that they had won free vacations, promotional gifts or luxury resort vouchers. They were invited to attend seminars held at four-star and five-star hotels, often being assured that they did not need to buy anything and only needed to bring identification documents.
Once at the events, sales representatives introduced vacation ownership packages priced between VND200 million and VND900 million (approximately USD7,700 to USD34,600), with contract terms ranging from five to 40 years.
Customers were told they could enjoy luxury holidays at discounted prices, transfer their contracts for profit or earn attractive returns through resale and rental programs.
Investigators found that many of these promises were made verbally and were not included in written contracts.
Victims were often pressured to sign agreements immediately to secure special discounts available only during the event. Many signed without fully understanding the contractual terms.
According to police, not a single customer successfully transferred a vacation ownership contract as promised.
A second layer of fraud
Hoang Nhat Long, director of Sunland Travel, works with investigators. Photo: T.D.
Authorities identified a second stage of the scheme targeting people who had already purchased vacation ownership packages.
Using customer databases collected from previous sales operations or acquired through other channels, the suspects established additional brokerage companies claiming to specialize in vacation contract transfers and rentals.
Sales staff contacted existing contract holders and promised to help them resell their packages at prices many times higher than the original purchase value.
In some cases, customers who had bought contracts worth VND200 million (about USD7,700) were told they could earn VND1 billion, VND2.8 billion or even VND10 billion through resale transactions.
To proceed, victims were required to pay additional fees described as reservation deposits, transfer guarantees, service upgrades or administrative costs.
Even customers who had no intention of purchasing additional vacation packages were allegedly pressured into buying new contracts as a condition for receiving assistance with transferring older ones.
Sales representatives typically promised that transactions would be completed within one to one-and-a-half months. However, investigators discovered that brokerage agreements often contained clauses extending the execution period to as long as 10 years, making it difficult for customers to cancel contracts or seek compensation.
Police concluded that none of the companies actually transferred or rented vacation packages for clients. The money collected was primarily used to pay salaries, commissions and personal expenses.
Executives admit fraudulent intent
Hoang Nhat Long, director of Sunland Travel, works with investigators. Photo: T.D.
At the center of the investigation is Hoang Nhat Long, director of Sunland Travel.
During questioning, Long admitted that his original intention was to obtain as much money as possible from customers and that he later developed the intent to defraud them.
Huynh Quanh Anh, a sales consultant, told investigators he received a fixed monthly salary of VND5 million (about USD190) plus commissions equal to 6% of contract values. He acknowledged that promises to refund customers within 30 to 60 days had no genuine basis.
Khuc Thuy Diem, the company's executive director, said she was responsible for managing and training staff. She admitted the company's business practices were improper and expressed remorse for what had occurred.
Police say the fraud network relied heavily on young university graduates and sales staff attracted by high commission rates ranging from 2% to 20%.
Among the 194 suspects prosecuted so far, 34 held senior positions, including chairpersons, chief executive officers, deputy chief executive officers and company directors. Most suspects are between 20 and 40 years old, and one company director was born in 2000.
Assets seized
Vacation ownership contracts seized during the investigation. Photo: CACC
Authorities have carried out extensive searches and asset recovery operations.
As of June 18, police had seized and frozen assets worth approximately VND680.3 billion (about USD26.2 million), including more than VND17.1 billion (USD660,000) in cash, nearly VND61 billion (USD2.35 million) in bank accounts, 11 vehicles worth approximately VND14.3 billion (USD550,000), 19 real estate properties valued at around VND504 billion (USD19.4 million), and three savings accounts worth VND12 billion (USD460,000).
Earlier searches also resulted in the seizure of cash, land-use certificates and other evidence related to the operation.
Victims urged to come forward
Lieutenant General Nguyen Thanh Tung, Director of Hanoi Police, described the case as highly sophisticated and said the current victim count likely represents only a fraction of those affected.
He urged anyone who believes they may have been victimized to contact police and submit evidence as soon as possible.
Lawyers involved in advising victims say individuals seeking compensation should participate in legal proceedings as victims or interested parties and provide documentation such as contracts, payment receipts, bank transfer records, invoices, emails, messages, recordings and promotional materials.
According to legal experts, the amount ultimately recovered will depend on the success of asset tracing and seizure efforts. If authorities are able to freeze bank accounts and confiscate properties, vehicles and other assets connected to the suspects, victims may recover part or all of their losses.
Ministry of Public Security warning
Following the investigation, Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security issued a nationwide warning about vacation ownership schemes.
The ministry cautioned citizens to be wary of companies that frequently organize promotional events at luxury hotels, offer free vacations or gifts, promise unusually high returns, guarantee easy contract transfers or pressure customers into making immediate payments.
Authorities also warned against businesses that fail to disclose key information about ownership rights, accommodation facilities, cancellation policies and refund conditions.
People are advised to thoroughly review contracts, verify company information and avoid making deposits or payments based solely on verbal promises.
Similar investigation in Ho Chi Minh City
The crackdown has also expanded beyond Hanoi.
Police in Ho Chi Minh City recently announced criminal proceedings against nearly 200 suspects connected to another network of vacation ownership scams operating through tourism companies.
Investigators there have seized 5,563 contracts and estimate losses at approximately VND612 billion (about USD23.5 million). Victims included many elderly people, with losses ranging from VND30 million (about USD1,150) to as much as VND8.5 billion (about USD327,000).
Authorities say the schemes followed nearly identical methods, relying on free gifts, luxury travel promotions, misleading investment promises and aggressive sales tactics to manipulate customers into signing contracts and making repeated payments.
Both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City police continue to expand their investigations, identify additional victims and pursue asset recovery efforts.
Vietnamnet.vn
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