The Hanoi Immigration Management Police documented the incident on the night of 15/1 in an urban area in Son Dong commune, Hanoi.

Upon investigation, authorities found seven South Korean citizens and one Chinese citizen residing without proper passports or visas. Inside the villa, dozens of computers and phones were actively operating.

Investigators determined that the group's passports were not lost but were intentionally hidden at another location.

The group of foreigners at the investigative agency. Photo: Investigative agency

During an immediate investigation that night, authorities located the group's passports. They were being hidden by a Chinese citizen in an apartment in a nearby urban area in Tay Mo ward. This individual was evasive and attempted to dispose of evidence.

One suspect, identified as Kang, among the seven South Korean nationals, admitted entering Vietnam not for tourism but to participate in an online scam ring aimed at defrauding victims. "The victims targeted are residents of South Korea", Kang stated.

**Why a villa was chosen as the headquarters**

According to initial testimony, the group's method involved using high-tech equipment in Vietnam to make scam calls targeting South Korea. Kang and his accomplices' task was to pose as consultants, making calls to gain victims' trust to steal personal information or persuade them to transfer money.

Evidence seized from the villa. Photo: Police provided

After obtaining victim data, the group forwarded the information to another department for subsequent asset appropriation.

They stated that choosing closed, high-security urban areas in Vietnam for their headquarters was to evade detection by authorities from both countries.

Also on the night of 15/1, authorities discovered and handled other violations in Kim Lien, Hong Ha wards, and My Duc, Quang Bi communes. Among these, Hanoi Police found a group of five Pakistani citizens who entered with e-visas, traveled from Dong Nai to Hanoi, residing illegally while awaiting repatriation assistance.

The investigative agency stated that the cases are under investigation to clarify details and maintain security and order in the capital during the 14th National Party Congress.