A total of 141 individuals, including businesspeople, civil servants, and foreign nationals, have been accused of participating in or organizing illegal gambling activities involving more than $111.4 million at the Vietnam Overseas Enterprise Club - Hanoi branch, known as King Club.

On June 3, the Ministry of Public Security's Security Investigation Agency completed its supplementary investigation report into the criminal case of "organizing gambling" and "gambling."

The case involved prize-winning electronic games operated at the King Club, located on the first floor of the Pullman Hotel at 40 Cat Linh Street, Dong Da District, Hanoi. The club is managed by Viet Hai Dang Investment and Entertainment Services Co., Ltd.

Based on collected evidence, the Security Investigation Agency transferred the case file to the Supreme People's Procuracy, recommending the prosecution of 141 suspects on two charges.

Of these, five suspects are accused of "organizing gambling" - including three South Korean nationals and two Vietnamese nationals. The remaining 136 suspects face charges of "gambling."

The agency has issued an international warrant for Kim In Sung (born in 1958, South Korean citizen), the director and legal representative of HSDVNCO., LTD, who fled Vietnam before the case was uncovered.

Investigators confirmed that 136 Vietnamese suspects had been indicted for gambling after they were introduced by acquaintances or directly contacted King Club to obtain membership cards. This allowed them access to the club's electronic gaming section, where they could wager money.

Evidence obtained from raids, witness testimonies, and digital data from the club’s software systems revealed sufficient grounds to charge Kim In Sung and three King Club managers - Cho Choon Keun, Shim Hawn Hee, and Choi Jin Bok - as well as directors Nguyen Dinh Lam and Phan Truong Giang.

These individuals knowingly violated laws prohibiting Vietnamese citizens from participating in electronic gaming reserved for foreigners.

However, driven by greed and gambling motives, they repeatedly organized illicit gambling sessions for 136 Vietnamese citizens using games such as slots, roulette, and baccarat.

The total gambling amount reached $111.4 million. Of this, Kim In Sung unlawfully profited by $9.4 million.

Dinh Hieu