The Investigation Security Agency of the Phu Tho Provincial Police announced on June 11 that the group had been plotting to establish a large-scale online scam center intended to operate long-term in Vietnam.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the criminal network originated from online fraud organizations based in Cambodia. Due to intensified crackdowns there, the group relocated its operations to other countries, including Vietnam, to continue its activities.
To facilitate its operations, the group rented entire resorts and villas in remote areas away from residential communities. A Chinese national, Zhao Wei Zhong, was sent to Vietnam in advance to survey locations, coordinate activities, and prepare the necessary infrastructure.
The network also organized the entry of dozens of Chinese citizens into Vietnam during May 2026, including 16 individuals who entered the country illegally.
The suspects frequently changed their places of residence to conceal their activities and minimize contact with local residents.
According to investigators, the group operated a fraudulent "company" under a closed-loop model, with clearly defined divisions responsible for identifying potential targets, approaching victims, providing consultations, and managing the flow of illicitly obtained funds.
During inspections and searches, authorities seized a large quantity of evidence, including 73 desktop computers, 134 mobile phones, 34 USB drives, 20 Wi-Fi transmission devices, five laptops, two tablets, and hundreds of personal and household items.
The Investigation Security Agency of the Phu Tho Provincial Police issued emergency detention orders for four suspects, including Zhao Wei Zhong and three Vietnamese nationals, on June 5 and June 7.
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