Vientiane police dismantled four cybercrime and online gambling operations across Vientiane Capital in early September, detaining more than 100 suspects and seizing large quantities of computer equipment, mobile phones, and suspected narcotics.
In the latest arrest, on 6 September, the authorities detained 43 people at the Yuzhou Smart Hotel in Xaythany District’s Nongviengkham village. Officers seized dozens of laptops and 468 mobile phones.
Three days earlier, on 3 September, authorities cracked down on two locations, also in Xaythany District, in Nonsengchanh and Nathom villages, detaining 39 suspects in total. Chinese nationals accounted for the largest share, followed by Burmese nationals.
In another case, authorities raided the Huay Ye Hotel in Sikhottabong’s Sang Jiang Market area last week, detaining 16 suspects. Officers seized desktop computers and laptops from the scene, along with a substantial quantity of suspected narcotics, including 132 packets containing ketamine and vape cartridges containing suspected narcotic liquids.
According to Lao state media, around the same time, authorities also raided Houngheuang in Sikhottabong District, detaining 11 suspects, including one Lao national. Officers seized nitrous oxide tanks, syringes containing suspected narcotic liquid, and other drug paraphernalia.
Part of a Nationwide Campaign
Lao authorities handed over 34 Thai nationals to Thai authorities on 2 September, marking the seventh transfer batch tied to the ST Vegas case, which has now seen 366 of 373 Thai suspects returned.
A day earlier, Bokeo authorities transferred 92 Thai nationals linked to telecom fraud schemes impersonating Thai law enforcement officers. Additional raids in Oudomxay and Vientiane in late August detained dozens more suspects across several nationalities.
To date, Lao authorities have arrested at least 6,200 cybercrime and scam suspects nationwide since the start of 2026, with roughly 1,000 arrests recorded each month from June through August.
