Law and Crime

Laos Arrests More Than 550 in August Scam Crackdown

Laos has detained more than 550 people in raids targeting online scams and illegal gambling operations so far in August, as authorities step up a nationwide crackdown that has now netted more than 1,100 suspects since mid-July. The latest figures come after a series of raids across Vientiane Capital and...

Laos Seizes Nearly 1.8 Tonnes of Suspected Ivory, Black Panther Remains in Bolikhamxay Raid

On 16 August, Lao authorities detained 11 foreign nationals in connection with a wildlife...

Vientiane Authorities Detain Nearly 400 in Cybercrime Raids in Early-to-Mid August

Vientiane authorities have detained nearly 400 suspects in three separate raids since the start...

Laos Authorities Arrest Four in Alleged Marriage Trafficking Network

On 23 July, Lao authorities arrested four people suspected of operating a human trafficking...

Police Detain 261 Foreign Nationals in Thatluang Lake SEZ Scam Raid

On 8 August, Vientiane police raided a telecommunications fraud and online gambling operation at...

Houaphanh Crackdown Nets 231 in Transnational Gambling Bust

Lao authorities arrested 231 people after dismantling an illegal online gambling network operating across three districts in Houaphanh Province. According to officials, police began monitoring...

Lao National Arrested in Thailand with 249kg of Methamphetamine

Thai authorities arrested a Lao national on 2 May after intercepting a boat carrying 249 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine across the Mekong River, Thai...

China to Tighten Control Over Micro-Drama Content

China is stepping up regulation of micro-dramas, with new measures introduced on 2 May targeting content that often features rich–poor romance storylines and dramatic...

Lao Security Minister Visits Golden Triangle SEZ Amid Fraud Crackdown

Lao authorities visited the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone on 30 April as part of efforts to tighten enforcement and dismantle telecom scam networks. Minister...

Lao Man Sentenced to Life in Cambodia for Opium Smuggling

A Cambodian provincial court has sentenced three men, one Lao national and two Thai nationals, to life in prison for smuggling nearly 100 kilograms...

Lao PM Sonexay Orders Crackdown on Online Fraud

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone has directed government agencies to intensify the fight against online scam networks, making cybercrime enforcement a top national priority for...