On June 6, police in Hung Yen province, in coordination with the Cybersecurity and High-Tech Crime Prevention Department under the Ministry of Public Security, announced the successful dismantling of a complex criminal network involving illegal gambling operations, distribution of obscene materials, and money laundering.

This was a particularly complex case involving a large number of suspects and transactions totaling approximately 1,200 billion VND (about 47 million USD). During the investigation, authorities arrested 15 individuals.

The operation stemmed from the discovery of a group operating illegal payment intermediaries for online card-based gambling platforms. These suspects were based both inside and outside the province.

The ring was led by Pham Tri Trung (born 1993, residing in Hanoi), and Hoang Ich Phien (born 1990, residing in Dak Lak), who were responsible for coding websites for both illegal payment platforms and pornographic content.

Police seized various computer systems and technical devices used for top-up services, including GSM machines and 14,000 SIM cards.

At the time of the raid, the illegal payment platform was processing 15,000 telecom scratch cards linked to 46 gambling websites with servers hosted abroad. The total value of these cards approached 1 billion VND (around 39,000 USD), with 7,000 cards worth over 600 million VND (around 23,500 USD) having already been used for mobile payments.

Digital evidence revealed that the group operated 124 pornographic websites featuring banners that advertised gambling platforms containing obscene and pornographic content, as well as transaction records involving USDT cryptocurrency.

The investigation found that the suspects possessed technical skills or a strong interest in technology. They managed an illegal payment system with IP addresses located overseas. This system bridged gambling websites with players, converting telecom scratch card credits into virtual gaming points.

Each suspect had a distinct role in the illegal operation, with independent functions. The group was decentralized into multiple sub-groups, using encrypted communication apps like Telegram. They frequently changed domain names and used fake IP addresses to evade detection and blockages from authorities.

Gambling participants accessed these websites and were instructed by a “customer support” team to use fake IP software. To attract gamblers, the group promoted pornographic websites embedded with ads linking to the gambling platforms connected to the illegal payment system.

In terms of financial transactions, the group used two main methods. In the first, game publishers used numerous domestic bank accounts to receive money, keeping individual transfers under 499 million VND (approximately 19,500 USD) to avoid banking scrutiny.

In the second method, operators of the illegal payment platforms converted illicit funds into USDT cryptocurrency (stored in cold wallets), or “transferred value” by purchasing luxury real estate and vehicles.

After gathering sufficient evidence, the Criminal Investigation Agency officially prosecuted and indicted 15 individuals for organizing gambling, distributing obscene content, and laundering money.

Regarding the legal proceedings, on May 30, the People’s Court of My Hao town held a first-instance trial, sentencing the 15 defendants to a combined total of over 100 years in prison. Authorities also confiscated more than 25 billion VND (approx. 976,000 USD) to the state treasury and froze assets including two luxury apartments and two high-end cars for enforcement of the ruling.

Pham Cong