Hanoi Police Dismantle Scam Ring Impersonating Japanese Officers

Photo courtesy of VN Express

A scam operation involving Chinese and Japanese nationals impersonating Japanese law enforcement has been dismantled by Hanoi police. The group reportedly defrauded victims in Japan of VND11 billion (US$420,000) by posing as Japanese police officers, prosecutors, and court officials. They coerced victims into transferring money via Ethereum cryptocurrency under the guise of aiding in fictitious investigations.

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The criminal ring had been operating in Vietnam's capital since August 2025. The suspects targeted individuals in Japan, claiming their lost identification documents linked them to criminal activities. These calls urged cooperation through financial transfers. Reports of suspicious activities led Vietnamese immigration officers to conduct coordinated raids on February 28 at multiple locations, including the Ciputra urban area and an apartment in the Mipec complex.

During the raids, authorities detained four Japanese nationals and three Chinese nationals, with one Chinese individual, identified as Z.H., believed to be the ringleader. The police confiscated a variety of tools used in the operation, including police uniforms, mobile phones, tablets, laptops, and walkie-talkies.

Investigators revealed that the suspects entered Vietnam legally using the country's open e-visa policies, choosing Hanoi as their operational base. Their activities are seen as damaging to public security and detrimental to Vietnam's international image as a safe destination.

Looking forward, Vietnamese authorities plan to tighten security measures and improve surveillance to prevent similar occurrences in the future. They are also likely to collaborate with international law enforcement agencies for further investigation and prosecution of those involved. This case highlights the need for enhanced international cooperation to address cross-border scams effectively, reported VN Express.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · VN Express · 05 Mar 2026