Authorities are working closely with relevant units under the Ministry of Public Security, provincial police forces, and Cambodian counterparts to expand the investigation and apprehend others involved.

The case centres on a large-scale criminal network that systematically created and exploited sensitive images and videos to blackmail victims. The group, comprising around 150 members, was reportedly headed by foreign nationals from Taiwan (China) and mainland China, operating out of Cambodia near the Moc Bai International Border Gate in Tay Ninh province, in coordination with Vietnamese associates.

The perpetrators allegedly acquired or extracted personal information from victims via cyberspace. They then used fake Zalo and Facebook profiles featuring photos of attractive young women posing as single individuals to build online relationships. After gaining the victims’ trust, they manipulated them into sharing sensitive content, which was subsequently used for blackmail.

Fearing damage to their personal lives or careers, many victims transferred money as demanded, choosing not to report the incidents to authorities.

Investigators identified 20 bank accounts used by the suspects to receive extorted funds. Of these, 11 accounts alone recorded incoming transactions totalling nearly VND300 billion (approximately US$12 million).

Ha Tinh police launch criminal proceedings against illegal migration brokerage

Police in the central province of Ha Tinh on October 31 decided to start criminal proceedings against a case of organising and brokering illegal emigration in the locality under Article 349 of the Penal Code.