Ho Chi Minh City Police said on June 4 that officers were examining possible links between the suspects and transnational fraud operations.
The foreign suspects were taken to the Ward police headquarters (Photo: N.A.)
The investigation began after residents in Thu Duc Ward reported a group of foreign nationals living in a highly secretive manner, rarely interacting with neighbours and frequently entering and leaving their accommodation late at night.
Following several days of surveillance, police suspected the group was involved in illegal activities, including the unlawful use of narcotics.
At about 10.30 pm on June 3, officers inspected a hotel where the group was staying and found five Malaysian nationals along with a nylon bag containing white crystals suspected to be drugs.
Police worked with an interpreter to take statements from those involved (Photo: N.A.)
Further searches uncovered equipment commonly associated with drug use, including glass pipes, torch lighters and precision scales. Rapid tests showed that four of the five individuals were positive for drugs.
Police also discovered numerous items believed to be linked to online fraud operations, including backdrops and signboards resembling those used by foreign authorities, as well as pre written telephone scripts.
Investigators additionally found discarded bags containing computers and networking equipment near the hotel, which they suspect may have been abandoned to destroy evidence.
Police are investigating and clarifying the roles of those involved (Photo: N.A.)
Based on information gathered during the initial operation, police expanded the investigation and carried out urgent inspections at two additional hotels on Street 18.
There, officers found another 21 Malaysian nationals along with more items used for drug consumption. Drug tests showed that 14 of them were positive for narcotics.
In total, 18 foreign nationals tested positive for drugs during the operation.
Authorities have sealed off the relevant locations and are working with specialist units to investigate possible offences related to narcotics, immigration management and suspected cross border fraud activities.