On 24/6, TP HCM Police initiated legal proceedings and detained Nguyen Hong Thao Nhi (34), Pham Thanh Son (26), Truong Thi Bich Tram (22), and over 20 others. They are being investigated for organizing illegal residency for foreign nationals.

Nguyen Hong Thao Nhi, Truong Thi Bich Tram, Pham Thanh Son. Photo: TP HCM Police

This action follows a series of recent crackdowns on foreign groups illegally entering and residing in the city, who often gather in hotels, apartments, and rented houses to conduct cross-border online scam activities. According to investigators, some of these foreign groups included six individuals with international arrest warrants, who had blended into illegally residing communities.

The investigation revealed that several local individuals, driven by financial gain, colluded with foreign ringleaders to secure properties. These local facilitators arranged accommodation and internet systems, but deliberately concealed the identities of their guests and failed to declare their residency, creating a secure cover for the online scam operations.

83 Chinese nationals discovered at a hotel in Binh Duong ward. Photo: TP HCM Police

In one instance, Thao Nhi was identified as directly renting a house in Hiep Binh ward, purchasing electronic equipment, and supplying food for a foreign group. During an inspection, police discovered 42 Chinese nationals residing there, including four illegal immigrants, along with machinery suspected of being used for online scams. Thao Nhi admitted to renting the house for the Chinese group at a monthly rent of 45 million VND, signing a two-year contract.

Similarly, earlier this month, during an inspection of Emerald Gold Hotel in Binh Duong ward, 82 Chinese nationals were found. Son and his accomplices were identified as facilitators, renting and renovating the hotel, then accommodating a large number of foreign nationals without verifying their residency permits. Son, along with the management team, arbitrarily arranged rooms and hired staff to provide accommodation for hundreds of foreign nationals, earning tens of millions of dong each month.

Bich Tram employed a more sophisticated method, hiring individuals to rent multiple apartments in TP HCM under their names. Through this, she received and arranged accommodation for large numbers of illegally entering foreign nationals, primarily Chinese. When discovered by police, these foreign nationals admitted they came to Vietnam to participate in online scams.

Illegal Chinese immigrants admit preparing to commit scams. Photo: TP HCM Police

Since early May, during a 45-day intensive crime crackdown, the TP HCM Police Investigation Security Agency has prosecuted 8 cases involving 26 defendants for organizing or brokering illegal residency. The defendants include many accommodation facility owners, hotel managers, brokers, and rental intermediaries. Authorities warn that individuals and businesses in the accommodation and rental sectors who bypass declaration procedures for economic gain are enabling criminals to form cross-border syndicates, severely impacting public order and security.

"Any act of renting property on behalf of others, concealing identities, or providing accommodation to known illegal immigrants can result in criminal prosecution," investigators advised.

Quoc Thang