Vietnam Police Bust Cybercrime Ring Targeting Japanese Victims

Photo: VN Express

In a significant crackdown on international cybercrime, Vietnamese authorities have arrested a group of Chinese nationals accused of defrauding Japanese victims of nearly $500,000 through fake e-commerce platforms and cryptocurrency schemes. The operation, led by Xing Yannank, 35, involved 30 other suspects, including both Chinese and Vietnamese nationals.

On April 29, Ho Chi Minh City police conducted coordinated raids on six locations across the city, seizing hundreds of electronic devices, including phones, laptops, and tablets, along with a bag of methamphetamine. The suspects had entered Vietnam via various border points over the past three months and had established themselves in upscale neighborhoods, using a three-story house in the Khang Dien residential area as their base. Disguised as a convenience store named Viet Hoa, this location served as the headquarters for their cybercrime activities.

The group allegedly targeted Japanese users through social media, convincing them to invest or purchase from fraudulent e-commerce sites. They instructed victims to transfer payments in cryptocurrency or Japanese yen to specific accounts, only to sever all communication once the payments were received. Additionally, the syndicate promoted bogus cryptocurrency investment opportunities, with all proceeds managed by the ringleader Xing. Members of the group reportedly earned up to VND50 million ($1,922) monthly, alongside performance bonuses.

Over just two months, the scam is believed to have netted over USDT486,000 ($486,138) from its Japanese victims, with Xing himself pocketing more than USDT38,000. An investigation into the full scope of the operation is ongoing, as authorities work to dismantle the network and prevent further incidents.

This case highlights the growing threat of international cybercrimes, prompting increased vigilance and cross-border cooperation to protect vulnerable targets from similar scams.

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from VN Express 2025-04-30