Lao and Vietnamese police have arrested 59 Vietnamese nationals involved in a high-tech fraud ring based in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone in Bokeo Province.
The operation, carried out with support from Dien Bien Provincial Police, dismantled a cross-border scam that defrauded hundreds of Vietnamese citizens.
The coordinated crackdown took place from 5 to 9 July, although authorities only made the details public on 16 July.
Raids Target Golden Triangle, Airports, Borders
On 5 July, Lao police launched a major raid in the Golden Triangle, arresting 45 suspects, 31 Vietnamese and 14 Chinese nationals. That same day, another 14 Vietnamese suspects were caught at Vientiane’s Wattay International Airport while trying to fly to Cambodia.
An additional 15 individuals were apprehended as they attempted to cross into Vietnam via the Tay Trang International Border Gate in Dien Bien Province.
Authorities seized a large haul of evidence during the raids, including 314 mobile phones, 292 all-in-one computers, 36 desktop computers, 1,000 Lao SIM cards, 13 passports, and significant amounts of US dollars and Chinese yuan. Investigators also found pre-written scripts used to scam victims.
By 9 July, authorities had transferred all 59 Vietnamese suspects and seized evidence through Tay Trang Border Gate into Dien Bien for further investigation. Vietnam has formally charged 38 of them with”appropriation of property by fraud” under the Penal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Fake Investment Platform Promised 24 Percent Daily Returns
According to Voice of Vietnam, the fraud ring operated a fake online investment platform called ATFX, promising daily returns of up to 24 percent. Scammers used fake social media profiles, posing as successful investors to lure victims. After gaining their trust, they persuaded victims to invest in the platform.
When victims tried to withdraw money, the scammers either claimed technical errors or refused outright. In more severe cases, they allegedly used private messages and sensitive images to blackmail victims into sending more money.
The group ran the operation like a tech company, assigning specific roles and using encryption tools, artificial intelligence, and digital platforms to hide their identities and avoid detection.
Vietnamese police said the ring involved multiple foreign nationals and relied heavily on Laos-based infrastructure.
Vietnamese police had launched Project 625T back in February 2025 after identifying Hoang Van Trung, a 1994-born man from Cao Bang, as the mastermind behind the scheme. Trung and his associates operated the ATFX platform from inside the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone.
The joint crackdown mobilized nearly 200 officers from Laos and Vietnam, who conducted long-term surveillance, collected digital evidence, and monitored online networks to dismantle the group.