According to Lao Cai police, the suspects were detained during a raid on a hotel where they had allegedly set up equipment to carry out online financial scams.
The 19 suspects and seized evidence in the case (Photo: Police).
Investigators said they first detected the group in early June after the suspects entered Vietnam from Cambodia via Moc Bai Border Gate in Tay Ninh Province before travelling to Lao Cai.
The group rented a large number of rooms at Song Hong View Hotel on Duyen Hai Street in Lao Cai Ward.
Police investigations indicated that several members of the group had previously participated in fraud operations in Cambodia. Authorities identified Wang Xiang Sheng, born in 1981, as the alleged leader of the network.
On June 10, officers observed the suspects installing electronic equipment, including computers and 5G transmission devices, inside the hotel in preparation for the operation.
According to investigators, the group's targets were Chinese citizens seeking loans. The suspects allegedly posed as employees of lending applications, guiding victims through loan procedures before defrauding them of money and personal assets.
On June 12, police raided Song Hong View Hotel as the suspects were allegedly carrying out fraudulent activities and arrested all 19 members of the group.
Officers seized 23 desktop computers and laptops believed to have been used in the operation, along with 26 mobile phones, eight 5G transmission devices and 16 USB storage devices.
During questioning, the suspects allegedly admitted their involvement in the scheme.
Wang Xiang Sheng, identified as the ringleader of the fraud network (Photo: Police).
Investigators said the group had collected personal information belonging to approximately 25,000 Chinese citizens while operating in Cambodia, using the data to facilitate fraud activities.
The case remains under investigation as Lao Cai police continue efforts to identify additional individuals involved and determine the full scale of the operation.