Recently, the Criminal Police Department of Lao Cai Provincial Police, in collaboration with Division 5 of the Criminal Police Department under the Ministry of Public Security and the Police Department of Lao Cai Ward, jointly deployed task forces to successfully dismantle a large-scale human trafficking ring targeting individuals under 16 years old across several provinces and cities in Vietnam.
Prior to this operation, through intelligence work, surveillance teams uncovered numerous human trafficking activities disguised as massage and karaoke services, orchestrated by multiple individuals across the country, including in Lao Cai Province. The modus operandi of these perpetrators was highly sophisticated, leveraging the internet and social media platforms such as Facebook, Zalo, and Telegram to recruit employees.
Members of the trafficking ring
Suspects Dang Van Vinh and Pham Thi Hoa
After a period of evidence gathering, on January 8, 2026, the specialized task force mobilized personnel to conduct raids and summons in Lao Cai Ward (Lao Cai Province), Tan Minh Commune (Hai Phong City), Tu Vu Commune (Phu Tho Province), and Song Lieu Ward (Bac Ninh Province). As a result, 10 suspects were summoned and arrested, and 21 victims of human trafficking were rescued.
During the investigation, it was determined that the suspects—Dang Van Vinh (born in 1997, residing in Phu Lien Ward, Hai Phong City), Pham Thi Hoa (born in 1992, residing in Tan Minh Commune, Hai Phong City), Nguyen Anh Tuan (born in 1999, residing in Mau A Commune, Lao Cai Province), and Lo Minh Quang (born in 2006, residing in Bao Yen Commune, Lao Cai Province)—recruited employees for beer pouring and card dealing services in karaoke bars. These employees were then coerced into accepting debts. If victims refused to continue working, the suspects would transfer them to other groups, demanding that the “new owners” settle the victims’ debts. This scheme represents a disguised form of human trafficking for financial gain.
Law enforcement officers rescued 21 victims
Based on the collected evidence, on January 8, 2026, the Investigative Police Agency of Lao Cai Provincial Police issued emergency detention orders and temporary custody decisions for Dang Van Vinh, Nguyen Anh Tuan, Lo Minh Quang, and Pham Thi Hoa to further investigate the case.
The Investigative Police Agency of Lao Cai Province is currently collaborating with other units to expand the investigation and apprehend additional suspects involved in the trafficking ring, ensuring they are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
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