At a meeting on April 6, Hanoi police said that following intensified crackdowns on cybercrime in Southeast Asia, particularly in Cambodia, criminal groups have been shifting operations to other countries, including Vietnam.
“We have proactively identified the trend and deployed strict measures to prevent, detect and handle foreign offenders entering Hanoi to commit transnational crimes,” a police representative said.
Between December 15, 2025 and March 14, 2026, authorities uncovered three cases involving 58 foreign nationals linked to fraud, online gambling operations and illegal entry.
Investigations show the groups use sophisticated tactics. Ringleaders based overseas direct associates to collaborate with Vietnamese accomplices to rent locations and set up computer systems, simbox devices and mobile phones.
Once a base is secured, a foreign “manager” is assigned in Vietnam while other members enter the country under tourist visas to carry out scams or organise online gambling targeting victims outside Vietnam. The groups deliberately avoid targeting Vietnamese citizens to reduce the risk of domestic prosecution.
During operations, the suspects establish shell companies posing as international securities firms, split into smaller cells and frequently change locations to evade detection, police said.
Authorities have urged residents, particularly landlords, to remain vigilant, report suspicious activity and provide information on individuals or locations showing signs of illegal operations so that police can take action in accordance with the law.
