On 13/7, the Criminal Police Department of Ha Tinh Provincial Police announced the dismantling of a prostitution ring operating on Telegram. Led by Nguyen Thi Thao, 26, from Thanh Hoa, and Vi Thi Nu, 21, from Bac Ninh, the operation was busted after a three-month investigation. Authorities have prosecuted both individuals for brokering prostitution, under Article 328 of the Criminal Code.

According to investigators, the entire operation, from advertising and connecting to transactions, took place online. Thao masterminded the Telegram groups, while Nu played an active role as a broker.

Nguyen Thi Thao being questioned by an investigator. *Photo: Police handout*

In private groups such as "Rachel Premium Edition", the ring posted detailed "personal profiles" for each woman. For example, one profile introduced a woman as a "Foreign Language University student", featuring portrait and bikini photos, alongside physical details: 1,63 m tall, 47 kg, and measurements of 87-61-90. The advertisements emphasized a "pretty face, intelligent, and attractive" woman who was bilingual in English and Chinese, located in Hanoi, and had "good reviews". Service prices were clearly stated: 6 million VND for half a day and 12 million VND for an overnight stay.

Other posts further "upgraded" titles to enhance appeal. One profile presented a woman as a beauty queen from three competitions, noting her 1,73 m height, 51 kg weight, and 92-62-94 measurements, along with an "exclusive" label.

Investigators concluded that the "madams" fabricated most of these titles to manipulate client psychology and boost credibility, thereby encouraging them to pay exorbitant fees. The involvement of actual celebrities, if any, requires multi-source verification and remains unconfirmed.

Thao meticulously categorized the women in the ring based on their appearance and perceived fame, tailoring services for distinct client segments. Access to Thao's Telegram groups required a membership fee: 500,000 VND for the "normal" group and 2 million VND for the "premium" group. Service charges varied significantly, from 5 million VND for a "quickie" to 150 million VND for a two-to-five-day "sex tour".

For the "tour" option, clients were required to pay an upfront deposit. Brokers then negotiated the remaining fee with the sex workers, profiting from the difference. The average daily rate for these tours was approximately 20 million VND.

Investigators reported that the ring conducted transactions primarily via bank transfers or USDT cryptocurrency, utilizing secure messaging apps for communication. Prostitution locations were not fixed, instead agreed upon by the involved parties. This operational method significantly complicated the evidence collection process.

Ha Tinh police are currently investigating the brokers' activities. For the sex workers, regulations stipulate that their actions incur administrative penalties only if they are caught in the act. Consequently, authorities are compiling a list of all involved individuals and sharing this information with local police departments for coordinated oversight.

The investigation into the case is ongoing and expanding.

Duc Hung