Ho Chi Minh City, June 21, 2026 – Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City have dismantled several groups of foreign nationals allegedly preparing large-scale online fraud centers in the city, leading to multiple arrests this month.
In a major crackdown during a 45-day campaign against transnational crime, the Ho Chi Minh City Police’s Security Investigation Agency discovered and disrupted several operations involving Chinese nationals who entered Vietnam illegally or overstayed to set up scam centers.
On June 17, police inspected a residence in Hiep Binh Ward and found 42 Chinese nationals staying illegally. Authorities seized hundreds of electronic devices, including 132 mobile phones, 77 tablets, 7 laptops, and telecommunications equipment suspected of being used for online fraud targeting victims abroad.
Following the investigation, on June 20, authorities issued arrest warrants and detained:
- Fan HaiMing
- Cao JiaLiang
- Nguyen Hong Thao Nhi (Vietnamese national)
They are being investigated for the crime of “Organizing for others to stay illegally in Vietnam” (Article 348 of the Penal Code).
Earlier in June, similar operations were uncovered, including a group of 83 Chinese nationals at a hotel in Binh Duong Ward who had entered from Cambodia. Police also arrested several other foreign nationals, including Dai Fei (Lei Long), Hu Guoyu, and Zhou Wendong, for their roles in scouting locations, renting properties, and preparing infrastructure for scam activities.
In total, during this campaign, Ho Chi Minh City police have initiated 8 criminal cases involving 26 defendants, of which 9 are foreign nationals. Many of the groups are believed to have relocated operations from Cambodia due to intensified crackdowns there.
A police spokesperson emphasized that Vietnamese authorities will continue to strictly enforce immigration laws and combat transnational cybercrime. Foreign nationals involved in illegal activities face severe penalties, including deportation and potential imprisonment.
This case highlights the growing efforts by Vietnamese police to prevent Vietnam from becoming a new hub for international scam networks. Investigations are ongoing to identify higher-level organizers abroad.