Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security said on May 19 that the Embassy of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Vietnam had sent a letter expressing appreciation to Vietnamese authorities for dismantling the Xoi Lac TV operation.
In the letter, the embassy acknowledged and highly valued the efforts of Vietnamese law enforcement agencies in handling the case. It said the operation helped protect the legitimate rights and interests of copyright holders, licensed content providers and lawful service users.
Police raid Xoi Lac TV headquarters (Photo: A05).
According to the ministry, Vietnamese authorities have recently intensified efforts to monitor and identify increasingly sophisticated online copyright infringement activities.
The dismantling of Xoi Lac TV was described as a major case demonstrating the proactive approach, determination and enforcement capabilities of Vietnamese authorities in combating organised copyright violations conducted in the digital environment and across borders.
The Ministry of Public Security said the recognition from the British embassy was particularly meaningful as online copyright infringement has become a shared global challenge rather than an issue confined to individual countries.
Authorities stressed that addressing such violations requires close coordination between law enforcement agencies, diplomatic missions, international organisations and cross-border entities.
Vietnamese authorities said they will continue strengthening efforts to detect, prevent and handle copyright violations in cyberspace.
Law enforcement agencies also called on diplomatic representatives, copyright holders, organisations and individuals to continue cooperating in identifying and stopping online infringement activities in order to help build a safer, healthier and more transparent digital environment.
The Xoi Lac TV case was investigated by the Ministry of Public Security and Hung Yen Provincial Police. The network allegedly operated websites illegally streaming football matches, films and other copyrighted content.
Investigators have prosecuted 38 suspects on charges including copyright infringement, organising gambling, gambling and distributing pornographic materials.
Authorities alleged the ringleaders organised an illegal livestreaming system using specialised equipment to capture and rebroadcast football matches online. In addition to pirated streaming, the network reportedly displayed advertisements and redirected viewers to online betting and gambling platforms.
Investigators said the operation was highly organised, with separate divisions handling technical systems, commentary, operations and advertising. Several commentators familiar to Xoi Lac TV audiences were also arrested.
Authorities estimated the network generated illicit profits worth hundreds of billions of dong, equivalent to millions of US dollars.
