On 7/8/2023, Lang Son provincial police announced that the Investigation Police Agency had prosecuted and detained 19 people for using telecommunications networks to appropriate property and illegally collecting, storing, exchanging, trading, and publicizing bank accounts.

Among the accused are Do Duc Loi, 31; Nguyen Dinh Dat and Lanh Van Toan, both 30; Lanh Van Chien, 36; Mong Van Hieu, La Truong Long, and Hoang Bao Quang, all 25. Since the beginning of 2023, these individuals equipped themselves with high-configuration computers and electronic devices, rented houses, and hired IT-skilled employees to carry out their illegal activities.

Police search the suspects' premises. Photo: Police provided.

They then purchased international credit card accounts, Gmail accounts, and Facebook accounts on social media. Each account was bought for a few thousand to tens of thousands of VND.

From there, they had their employees log into each account to upgrade them, top up Tiktok accounts, and purchase in-game items. Finally, the group resold these accounts in closed social media groups for profit.

By the time of the bust, police determined the suspects had traded and stored over 300,000 accounts, illegally profiting over 3 billion VND (approximately 127,000 USD). A search of their residences yielded various exhibits, tools, incriminating documents, 80 mobile phones of various types, and 41 computers.