Police in Quang Tri province have indicted 61 individuals for fraudulent appropriation of assets, under Article 174 of the Criminal Code. This action targets a sophisticated scam operation, primarily based in Cambodia and led by Chinese nationals, which has allegedly defrauded victims nationwide of over 3,000 billion VND annually.
The ring employed a meticulously structured "seven-day customer engagement process" designed to cultivate trust and emotional bonds with victims before enticing them into fraudulent online financial investments. Each day, members were assigned tasks to illegally gather personal data of middle-aged women, then actively approach these targets. They used lists of phone numbers and social media accounts to identify and contact suitable victims, initiating conversations and offering advice based on pre-prepared scripts to foster empathy and confidence.
A common tactic involved sending "mistaken friend requests" via Zalo. Scammers would then frequently message victims, sharing fabricated stories of hardship to build rapport and trust. Once a relationship was established, victims were lured into online financial schemes with promises of "high profits, low risk". They were instructed to download the OKX application and access fake websites designed to mimic real trading platforms, where they would "invest" using USDT cryptocurrency. These platforms were entirely controlled by the scam group, created solely to steal participants' money.
 |
Members of the scam ring arrested. Photo: Quang Tri Provincial Police. |
Members of the scam ring arrested. Photo: Quang Tri Provincial Police.
The fraudulent system was programmed to display substantial profits, even allowing initial small withdrawals to reinforce the illusion of legitimacy. However, once victims deposited larger sums, the scammers would present various excuses—such as transaction errors, unpaid taxes, or account upgrade requirements—to demand additional funds. This scripted investment and deposit process typically unfolded over seven days.
 |
Police taking a statement from a member of the scam ring. Photo: Quang Tri Provincial Police. |
Police taking a statement from a member of the scam ring. Photo: Quang Tri Provincial Police.
Ultimately, when victims exhausted their financial resources, the group would sever all contact, absconding with the entirety of their funds. It was only at this point that participants realized they had been scammed. "In the beginning, when I saw money being transferred back, I believed it was real. Only when the amount became too large did I realize I was tricked," one victim recounted.
The nationwide operation led to significant losses, with one victim in Quang Tri province alone losing over 2.7 billion VND.
Authorities urge the public to exercise caution regarding relationships initiated on social media, especially those involving swift expressions of affection or offers of high-return investment opportunities. Residents are strongly advised against transferring money based on instructions from strangers or participating in unregulated trading platforms. Any suspicious activity should be reported to law enforcement immediately.
Dac Thanh
