Bac Ninh Provincial Police announced on 10/3 that they are continuing their investigation into a South Korean group operating a phone scam syndicate. Authorities dismantled the operation, which was a joint effort by the Bac Ninh Provincial Police's Immigration Management Department, in coordination with the Ministry of Public Security's Immigration Department and other relevant units.
Police identified Son ChanHyun, 42, as the alleged ringleader. He reportedly confessed that the group was recruited by Da Hu, a Chinese national residing in Cambodia, to carry out phone scams. The move to Vietnam was prompted by an intensified crackdown on scam operations in Cambodia, leading their boss to instruct them to relocate.
Son ChaHyun's group entered Vietnam from Cambodia on 13/1 via Noi Bai International Airport, utilizing a unilateral visa exemption. By early February, they had established their operational base by renting a house in Hap Linh ward, Bac Ninh.
Son ChaHyun utilized a Telegram group to manage his 7 compatriots, assigning tasks and overseeing their compensation structure. He devised the scam scripts, which the other members were instructed to refine, leveraging their "long-standing scam experience" to innovate their methods. Once the scripts were finalized, they began targeting stores and sales agencies based in South Korea.
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The scam group and seized evidence. *Photo: Police provided*
After identifying specific businesses, their contact numbers, and locations, the scammers would initiate calls, posing as diplomatic agencies. They would place "large, urgent orders," enticing store owners with the promise of significant profits. As these owners sought suppliers, Son ChaHyun would then step in, presenting himself as a supplier offering goods at unusually low prices.
If a store owner agreed to the purchase, Son ChaHyun would demand either a 50% deposit or full upfront payment. After securing the funds, the group would immediately block all communication with the victims to eliminate any traces. All proceeds were then funneled into an account designated by Da Hu.
Monthly, Son ChaHyun's team received their salaries from the Chinese boss in cryptocurrency, specifically USDT, with payments ranging from 2,000 to 7,000 USDT.
Bac Ninh Provincial Police estimate that since their operations in Cambodia and subsequent move to Vietnam, the group has defrauded victims of approximately 1.2 billion Won (equivalent to 21 billion VND). Their activities in Vietnam alone account for about 20 cases, all involving South Korean victims residing in their home country, totaling approximately 622,600 Won (around 11 billion VND).
