The Criminal Police Department (C02, Ministry of Public Security), in collaboration with Hanoi police, announced on 14/9 the arrest of seven individuals on charges of human organ trafficking. Those in custody include Pham Van Hung, 42; Tran Ngoc Ba, 35; Phung Thi Thao, 41; Le Thanh Thanh, 27; Nguyen Thi Thu Ngan, 34; Pham Thi Ngoc Thuy, 33; and Nguyen Thi Hoa, 36.

Pham Van Hung at the time of his arrest. Photo: Provided by the police

According to C02, Hung identified a high demand for kidney transplants among patients with kidney failure. He and his accomplices established the trafficking ring, advertising their services on Facebook and providing contact numbers for interested parties. They charged buyers approximately 1.2 billion VND per kidney, a fee covering the transplant surgery, testing, and other expenses for the seller.

Potential sellers were taken to hospitals for health assessments and HLA compatibility testing. Once a compatible buyer and seller were matched, the ring assisted sellers with legal paperwork and medical procedures required for the transplant.

The ring rented a house in Bo De ward to accommodate sellers during the screening and pre-transplant period. Sellers typically received between 450 and 550 million VND per kidney just before the transplant, with the exact amount varying based on health and blood type. The ring pocketed the remaining 450 to 500 million VND.

Suspects in the case. Photo: Provided by the police

To evade law enforcement, the group frequently changed locations and primarily used social media for communication. They also enforced a strict policy preventing buyers and sellers from meeting before the transplant.

Police estimate that between 2024 and the present, Hung and his accomplices facilitated 25 to 30 successful kidney transplants at major hospitals in Hanoi. The total profit remains undisclosed. Searches of the suspects' residences yielded relevant documents, screening records, and HLA compatibility test results.