Scene of the incident during the inspection. Photo: BCA.
According to the Ministry of Public Security’s e-portal, the Criminal Police Department, in collaboration with the Department of Cyber Security and High-Tech Crime Prevention (Cyber Security Department), and the Thanh Khe Ward Police in Da Nang, successfully dismantled a large-scale, transnational online gambling ring. During the investigation, the police issued arrest warrants for 19 individuals on charges of “Illegally accessing or using computer networks or telecommunications networks” under Article 288 of the Penal Code.
Specifically, at around 2 PM on November 19, the Criminal Police Department, in coordination with the Cyber Security Department and Thanh Khe Ward Police, conducted a surprise inspection at 1083-1085 Nguyen Tat Thanh Street, Thanh Khe Ward, Da Nang. At the site, authorities discovered 63 individuals using computers connected to the internet, exhibiting signs of involvement in high-tech criminal activities. Immediate verification was initiated.
Based on initial information, the police identified Tran Le Duy (born in 1983, residing in Thanh Khe Ward) as the ringleader. Around 2019, Duy was hired by an unidentified woman (reportedly residing in Thailand or Cambodia) to establish and manage a software development unit for technology projects assigned by her.
Duy subsequently recruited personnel and set up multiple departments specializing in programming and software development for entertainment, sports, gaming, and cryptocurrency transactions. By 2022, Duy hired Le Cong Son (born in 1988, from the same locality) to oversee the facility’s projects.
In early 2023, Duy partnered with a man named Torres (residing in Cambodia) to develop online gambling websites, including football betting, online cockfighting, lottery, casino, dice games, and more. Torres instructed Duy’s team to upgrade interfaces, create promotions, events, and features for depositing and withdrawing Vietnamese Dong and cryptocurrencies (such as USDT, ETH), as well as to maintain and troubleshoot these websites during operation.
To execute these gambling projects, Duy leased office space, established a company-like operation model, and named the facility to recruit specialized employees. Duy’s operations were highly sophisticated, employing advanced security measures to evade detection by authorities. Additionally, the group used foreign-based chat groups to ensure secure communication.
During operations, Duy and Son required all employees to use aliases instead of real names and to work exclusively on company-provided computers, avoiding personal devices to prevent information leaks and avoid detection by authorities.
At the time of inspection, the police discovered folders containing code for modifying and upgrading online gambling websites, including: https://vt88.com; https://soi.bet, https://tic88.com, https://mi88.com, https://zo88.com, on the programmers’ computers.
Further investigation led to the inspection of four additional affiliated facilities, resulting in the seizure of 60 laptops, 356 computer monitors, 2 cars, 8 TVs, 5 safes, 5 money counters, and over 1.27 billion VND in cash. Notably, all 63 employees held university degrees in computer technology, finance, and accounting.
During the investigation, the police prosecuted 19 individuals involved. Photo: BCA.
Based on the collected evidence, the investigation determined that Tran Le Duy and his accomplices established a technology company-like model, assigning roles to individuals and groups to develop and update online gambling websites. These platforms offered various forms of gambling, including football betting, dice games, casinos, and reward-based games, with deposit and withdrawal functions via banks, e-wallets, and cryptocurrencies (USDT, ETH) for partners in Cambodia to operate online gambling networks.
The Criminal Police Department has initiated legal proceedings and prosecuted 19 individuals for “Illegally accessing or using computer networks or telecommunications networks” under Article 288 of the Penal Code. The investigation continues to expand, targeting remaining suspects for strict legal action.
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To fund his online gambling addiction, The fabricated deceitful narratives, claiming he needed urgent loans to settle debts for other clients or to make final payments to banks on their behalf. These false promises lured unsuspecting victims into handing over their money, trusting his manipulated stories.
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