Phu Tho Provincial Police have thwarted an attempt to establish a large-scale transnational high-tech scam center in Vietnam, arresting four key individuals. The provincial security investigation agency issued emergency detention orders for Chinese national Zhao Wei Zhong (also known as A Chau), along with Vietnamese accomplices Nguyen Thanh Long, Tran Thi Thu Huong, and Pham Dinh Nam. Police described the group as foreign nationals showing signs of transnational high-tech fraud, aiming to build a long-term operational base in Vietnam.

Inside the scam center. Photo: Police provided

Initial investigation documents reveal the group originated from online scam organizations operating in Cambodia. Previously, they worked in closed-model scam companies, handling everything from customer contact and investment advice to guiding money transfers and managing illicit funds. A decisive crackdown by Cambodian authorities on online scam centers recently prompted the group to seek new operational bases.

The suspects targeted Vietnam as a new operational base due to its abundance of isolated resorts, farmstays, and villas located away from residential areas. These locations were deemed ideal for concentrating a large number of foreign individuals and installing electronic equipment necessary for their cyber activities.

Many suspects arrested. Photo: Police provided

Following the outlined plan, Zhao Wei Zhong (A Chau) was tasked with entering Vietnam to scout locations and coordinate operations. A Chau then received and arranged accommodation for accomplices relocating from Cambodia to Vietnam. He also collaborated with other subordinates to prepare the infrastructure and technical means for the scam. In May, the group brought dozens of Chinese citizens to various locations in Hanoi, Lao Cai, and Phu Tho. Among them, 16 individuals lacked legal entry documents. To evade detection, they frequently changed their lodging and chose large, isolated areas, avoiding contact with local residents.

Police determined that beyond bringing in personnel, the group also prepared extensive infrastructure to build a large-scale online scam operations center. At the rented locations, they installed computer systems, telephones, internet broadcasting equipment, office desks and chairs, bunk beds, and various items for concentrated living.

Mobile phones prepared for criminal activity. Photo: Police provided

During searches conducted early June, police seized 73 computers, 134 mobile phones, 34 USB data storage devices, 20 wifi broadcasting devices, three SIM cards, 5 laptops, two tablets, along with hundreds of desks, chairs, bunk beds, mattresses, and numerous other items intended for large-scale group operations. This operation effectively neutralized the entire physical setup before the transnational scam network could become fully operational.