Illegal broadcasting system Luong Son TV dismantled

Police identified the Luong Son TV system as illegally broadcasting copyrighted sports events and luring viewers into betting on the OK9 platform, with monthly transaction amounts exceeding 1,500 billion VND.

Authorities announced today the dismantling of an operation named Luong Son TV, led in Vietnam by an individual with the alias FDR OBANK. Suspects used specialized equipment to intercept OTT or satellite broadcast signals from sports tournaments legally owned by television stations and copyright holders. They then re-broadcast these for free on the Luong Son TV website system, utilizing various domain names.

The group directed users to participate in online gambling on the OK9 platform, operating a closed model. During broadcasts, commentators and customer service staff actively promoted and guided viewers to register accounts, deposit funds, and place bets with the OK9 bookmaker. This was done via links pinned on websites or shared on social media platforms and messaging applications.

Authorities assessed this as a novel operational method, combining television copyright infringement with online gambling. This affected the legal rights and interests of copyright holders, while also posing risks to cybersecurity and order.

In early July, Quang Tri Provincial Police, in coordination with the Criminal Police Department (Ministry of Public Security), launched a special investigation. The special investigation committee simultaneously deployed six task forces across various localities, summoning involved individuals.

According to the investigation, the group previously operated from Krong Bavet (Cambodia) before relocating to Vietnam in early 2026. Members worked online from various locations, using aliases to communicate via encrypted applications, employing VPNs and offshore servers, and frequently changing domain names to conceal their activities. Salaries were paid in USDT digital currency via e-wallets, and payments were processed through unregistered bank accounts.

Authorities accused the OK9 - Luong Son TV system of having tens of thousands of active player accounts. The total transaction value from organizing gambling and illegal re-broadcasting was estimated at more than 1,500 billion VND monthly. On 4/8, the Quang Tri Provincial Police Investigation Agency announced it had indicted 16 defendants on charges of organizing gambling and gambling.

The investigation also identified that the illegal capture and re-broadcasting of copyrighted sports programs showed signs of copyright and related rights infringement, under Article 225 of the Penal Code.