The new series, "Trang An Firewall - Digital Trap", exposes the tactics of high-tech criminals, using cinematic language to warn internet users about online fraud. The Hanoi Police served as advisors to the production crew, ensuring the accuracy of the depicted criminal activities. At the film's introduction on 14/11, Lieutenant General Nguyen Thanh Tung confirmed that the plot details are inspired by real-life cases, featuring characters such as Mr Pips (Pho Duc Nam) and Mr Hunter (Le Khac Ngo). "The details are as close to reality as they are in the film," he stated.
The film recreates common cybercrime methods, including impersonating sales staff, delivery personnel, or financial advisors. Specific real-life details, such as the criminals' hundreds of billions VND in supercars or Mr Pips' hobby of collecting gold, required support from large businesses to be accurately depicted.
 |
Doan Quoc Dam stars in "Trang An Firewall - Digital Trap". Photo: Film crew provided |
Beyond showcasing the crimes, the series also portrays the meticulous investigation by police officers, who work to decipher money laundering schemes and unravel clues hidden behind complex encryption. A key focus of the series is highlighting the psychological "blind spots" that make victims vulnerable, such as the illusion of easy wealth and the allure of high-paying jobs with minimal effort.
The criminal network led by Pho Duc Nam (Mr Pips) and Le Khac Ngo (Mr Hunter) began operating in 2021. They established multiple English-interface websites, designed to mislead participants into believing they were reputable international forex exchanges. In reality, these websites were custom-programmed and linked to bank accounts directly managed by Nam's group. Mr Pips was arrested last year, while Mr Hunter was recently apprehended in the Philippines and is awaiting extradition to Vietnam.
The series features a talented cast, with Meritorious Artist Hoang Hai playing Colonel Tran Hoang, the lead investigator in the special case. Doan Quoc Dam portrays a skilled technology engineer who, while attempting to recover his family's defrauded money, inadvertently becomes entangled in a spiral of greed. Actress Thuy Anh takes on the role of a singer, a character with close ties to the ringleader of the criminal organization.
The series is planned for 45 episodes, with the script written by Major Vu Liem and directed by Nguyen Trung Son. It premiered on 7/11, airing daily at 21h. The production follows a "cuon chieu" (filmed and aired concurrently) format, which allows later plot developments to reflect current events. The production team hopes the work will provide valuable knowledge and help viewers increase their vigilance against online fraud.
Ha Thu
