On October 21, Thanh Hoa provincial police said immigration officers had discovered a group of foreigners renting the entire Van Hoa Hotel in Nghi Son ward.

The group reportedly kept to themselves, maintained tight security with guards stationed around the premises and restricted access by outsiders, raising suspicions of illegal activities.

After identifying these unusual circumstances, provincial police launched an investigation to establish what was happening inside the hotel.

Preliminary findings indicated that most of the individuals had previously lived in Laos and Cambodia. Several had entered Vietnam illegally, while one was wanted by authorities in another country.

Investigators identified the alleged operation as a network involving more than 100 people of different nationalities, directly managed by Zhao Xuefeng, a Chinese national born in 1987.

While some members were responsible for carrying out fraudulent schemes, others handled equipment management, personnel, finances, logistics and translation.

According to police, the operation followed a tightly structured division of responsibilities, with six separate teams, each focusing on different markets and types of fraud.

The schemes included fraudulent financial and cryptocurrency investments, sports betting scams, fake recruitment offers and deceptive online job assignments.

Potential victims were targeted according to their countries and territories, including South Korea, Japan, India, the United States and China.

Criminal proceedings launched against 84 suspects

Based on evidence collected during the investigation, Thanh Hoa police determined that the group was operating as a sophisticated transnational cybercrime organization.

Provincial police reported their findings to the leadership of Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security and coordinated with the Criminal Police Department, cybersecurity authorities and other specialized units to establish a dedicated investigation and prepare an operation against the network.

On October 17, police raided the premises and dismantled the alleged fraud ring headed by Zhao Xuefeng.

Officers detained 118 people at the scene, including 113 foreign nationals and five Vietnamese citizens.

Among the foreign nationals were 74 Chinese, 28 Indians, nine Cambodians, one Malaysian and one Myanmar national.

Further checks revealed that 18 individuals had entered Vietnam illegally, while another was wanted abroad.

Police also seized numerous machines and electronic devices allegedly used to carry out online fraudulent activities.

The Security Investigation Agency of Thanh Hoa provincial police has since opened a criminal case and initiated proceedings against 84 suspects.

The alleged offenses include organizing the illegal stay of foreigners in Vietnam and using computer networks, telecommunications networks and electronic devices to fraudulently appropriate property.

Authorities are continuing to expand the investigation to establish the full extent of the operation.

Le Duong