The Hanoi Police Department's Investigation Police Agency has initiated legal proceedings against Nguyen Tien Sy, 21, from Quang Tri; Trinh Tran Hung, 22, from Hanoi; Le Van Thuan, 43, from Thanh Hoa; Tran Thanh Long; and Nguyen Ngoc Si, both 26, residing in TP HCM.

The five individuals are under investigation for two charges: producing, buying, selling, exchanging, or gifting tools, devices, and software for illegal purposes; and using computer networks, telecommunications networks, and electronic means to appropriate property.

The case began in March when 16 individuals in Hanoi had their phone subscription control seized after registering for Internet Banking services. Following the takeover of their subscriptions, the criminal group illegally accessed the victims' bank accounts, appropriating over 14 billion VND.

Some suspects and evidence in the case. *Photo: Police provided*

During the investigation, police identified Sy as the ringleader. He contacted a foreign individual via the Telegram application to purchase the source code for the Vcamerashy software. He then used artificial intelligence (AI) tools to modify, localize, and refine the software. Subsequently, Sy either sold the software separately or pre-installed it on electronic devices for his clients.

Sy and his four accomplices sold these devices to numerous other individuals at a price of approximately 3.2 million VND per device, to be used in criminal activities. Initial police findings indicate that the devices supplied by this group were used in the aforementioned case, resulting in the appropriation of property from 16 victims and causing losses exceeding 14 billion VND.

During a search on March 27, police discovered and seized numerous computers, phones, electronic devices, data storage media, and the Vcamerashy software source code.

Selling devices to bypass biometric authentication

Expanding the investigation, police also initiated legal proceedings against a second group: Nhu Cao Son, 30, from Binh Dinh; Nguyen Xuan Cuong, 27, from Hung Yen; Nguyen Hoang Minh Tan, 33, from TP HCM; and Le Tri Sang, 23, residing in Hanoi. They are being investigated for producing, buying, selling, exchanging, or gifting tools, devices, and software for illegal purposes.

Police determined that Son managed the "Jailbreak Tips" group, while Cuong operated the "Tool vuot sinh trac hoc" Telegram group. These groups regularly advertised software and electronic devices, claiming they could help bypass biometric authentication on many banking applications. Each device was priced at approximately 20 million VND.

Suspects Tan and Sang participated in the buying and selling of devices containing software used for criminal activities.