South Korean National Wanted for Fraud Arrested in Vietnam

Picture courtesy of Vietnam News

Authorities in Vietnam's Lâm Đồng province have apprehended a South Korean national, Hong Sangwoo, 38, who was internationally wanted for his involvement in a transnational fraud ring. Local police confirmed Hong's arrest on Thursday, marking a significant effort in international law enforcement collaboration.

Hong was a significant figure within a scam network operating out of Cambodia. He played a crucial role in recruiting and training South Korean individuals and offering interpretation support to Chinese members involved in the fraudulent operations. The group duped victims by impersonating representatives from the legitimate UK-based asset management firm, Janus Henderson Group. Using the popular messaging app KakaoTalk, they promoted false investment schemes, tantalising targets with promises of high returns and complete safety.

The sophisticated fraud was furthered by instructing victims to install a counterfeit stock trading app, ultimately allowing the scammers to seize assets illicitly. The total losses from this deceitful scheme are estimated at around seven billion South Korean won, equivalent to approximately US$5.1 million.

In light of these activities, INTERPOL issued a Red Notice for Hong on September 6, 2024, under charges corresponding to Article 347 of South Korea’s Penal Code, relating to fraud. South Korea formally reached out to Vietnamese authorities on April 18, 2025, seeking assistance in Hong's capture.

In response, the Ministry of Public Security in Vietnam directed Lâm Đồng police to conduct a detailed investigation, leading to the successful identification and arrest of Hong. He has since been handed over to the Ministry for further legal proceedings, to be handled in accordance with international legal standards.

This arrest highlights the effective cross-border cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the continued commitment to addressing international crime networks. The capture of Hong Sangwoo is a step forward in dismantling such fraudulent operations and ensuring justice for the affected victims.

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Vietnam News 2025-06-06