On 12/7, Nguyen Thi Thao, 26, residing in Thanh Hoa, and Vi Thi Nu, 21, residing in Bac Ninh, were indicted by the Ha Tinh Provincial Police Investigation Agency on charges of prostitution brokerage, under Article 328 of the Penal Code.

The two suspects at the police investigation agency. *Photo: Police provided*

Investigators identified Thao as the mastermind behind several Telegram groups, including 'Rachel Premium Edition'. These groups featured profiles of about 50 individuals engaged in prostitution, advertised as 'beauty queens, first runners-up', and social media personalities. Nu actively participated as a broker.

Clients paid a 'meeting fee' ranging from 500,000 to 2 million VND to access profiles of the individuals. Services were priced at 5 million VND for a 'quick session' and 150 million VND for two to five-day 'tours' from Ha Noi to southern provinces.

A few months prior, the Ha Tinh Provincial Police Criminal Investigation Department initiated an investigation after detecting large-scale prostitution brokerage on Telegram groups operating across multiple provinces and cities, particularly in Ha Noi and TP HCM.

Investigators determined that the ring's operators and participants used encrypted messaging apps, USDT cryptocurrency, and bank transfers for transactions. The lack of fixed operating locations complicated surveillance efforts.

Recently, law enforcement officers apprehended two couples engaged in prostitution at a luxury resort in Ha Tinh. The individuals involved confessed to arranging their transactions through a Telegram group managed by the account 'Rachel'.

Simultaneously, police raided Thao's rented apartment in Ha Noi.

The investigation into the case is ongoing and being expanded.

Duc Hung