The provincial criminal investigation department said on February 25 it was probing a cross-border trafficking ring allegedly led by Huynh Nguyen Ngoc Huy, 22, from Cat Lai Ward in Ho Chi Minh City.
Tay Ninh Provincial Police are searching for 18 victims in the human trafficking case led by Huy (Photo: N.H.).
Investigators said that in December 2023 Huy was instructed via social media to cross illegally into Cambodia, where he lived on the fifth floor of Building 15 of Hong Nguyen Company in the Kim Sa 1 area of Bavet City, Svay Rieng Province. He was assigned to the company’s recruitment division.
Using a Facebook account under the name “Huy Tran”, Huy allegedly posted advertisements offering “easy work, high pay” in Cambodia or restaurant jobs in Tay Ninh. After victims expressed interest, he requested photos of their citizen identity cards and personal images, which he forwarded to the company for approval.
Once approved, Huy arranged meetings in Ho Chi Minh City before hiring vehicles to transport recruits to the Moc Bai border area. From there, motorbike drivers allegedly took them across the border illegally into Cambodia and delivered them to Hong Nguyen Company.
Police said the company paid Huy USD 800 a month with a target of recruiting and transporting three people monthly. He allegedly received a USD 100 bonus for each victim brought from Vietnam and USD 50 for each person persuaded to switch from another scam operation.
Investigators said that once in Cambodia, victims who wanted to return home were forced to ask their families to pay a ransom; otherwise they risked being sold to other scam companies.
Between early 2024 and August 2025, Huy allegedly transported seven victims from Vietnam to Cambodia and transferred 13 others from rival scam groups to Hong Nguyen Company.
So far, police have identified and taken statements from two victims. The identities and whereabouts of 18 others remain unknown, and authorities are continuing efforts to trace and summon them for questioning.
