Major General Nguyen Quoc Toan, chief of the Ministry of Public Security's Office and its spokesperson, disclosed the case at a regular government press briefing on November 4.
He said the suspects involved in the cross-border operation included nationals of China, India, Cambodia, Malaysia and Myanmar.
Major General Nguyen Quoc Toan, chief of office and spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Security speaks at the regular government press briefing on November 4 (Photo: Doan Bac).
Investigators have opened a criminal case involving the use of computer networks, telecommunications networks and electronic devices to appropriate property, as well as the organisation and brokerage of illegal entry into, exit from or residence in Vietnam.
So far, 94 suspects have been charged and detained, including 90 foreign nationals and four Vietnamese citizens. Authorities have also seized a large quantity of electronic equipment allegedly used in the criminal operation.
The amount of money allegedly misappropriated is estimated at around VND 50 billion (USD 1.92 million).
The Ministry of Public Security identified the operation as a transnational criminal organisation led and organised by Chinese nationals, who worked with Vietnamese accomplices and people of several other nationalities.
Notably, the suspects had agreed not to employ Vietnamese workers or target Vietnamese victims, a strategy intended to make it more difficult for authorities to detect, arrest and prosecute them.