On 26 May, authorities in Vientiane Capital arrested 19 suspects linked to an online fraud through fake scratch lottery sales and fraudulent online shopping schemes in Sikhottabong district.
According to Sikhottabong authorities, the group had been operating from the rented property since early April this year under the supervision of a Chinese national identified as Wu Mingxing. The suspects reportedly received monthly salaries ranging from USD 400 to USD 800 to carry out online fraud activities.
The investigators said the group allegedly used Facebook livestreams to sell scratch lottery tickets. Victims who won small prizes were paid to gain their trust. When victims appeared to win larger prizes, victims were asked to pay fees of between VND 30 million (USD 1,140) and VND 40 million (USD 1,520) to claim their winnings. After the scammers received the money, they blocked the victims and never paid out the prizes.
Police said the group also operated fake online shopping pages offering products at prices below market value. Customers were instructed to transfer money in advance through Vietnamese bank accounts and were promised delivery details afterward. Once payment was received, the operators reportedly cut off all contact with the buyers.
No further information was shared by the authorities on the operation activities. For now, police are holding the suspects and the seized equipment while investigators continue examining the case and identifying other individuals who may have participated in the operation.
Ongoing Cases
Separately, authorities in Savannakhet province raided two locations in Kaysone Phomvihane City following reports of suspected cybercrime activities on 10 June.
During the operation, police detained 94 suspects from seven nationalities, including 72 Chinese nationals, 11 Indonesians, four Taiwanese, three Myanmar nationals, two Ethiopians, one Cambodian national, and two Lao nationals, according to Lao state media.
On 11 June, police in Champasak province also arrested 50 suspects during a raid on a suspected scam operation in Bachiengchaleunsouk district. The group included 48 Chinese nationals and two Lao nationals.
In both Savannakhet, and Champasak cases, authorities confiscated large quantities of computers, mobile phones, and other electronic equipment believed to have been used in online fraud and telecommunications scam activities.
Authorities said both cases remain under investigation.
