34 Filipinos, Chinese, and Malaysian lured to work for online scam ring in Vietnam

Thirty-four foreigners who entered Vietnam on tourist visas have been found operating computers and phones for an online scam ring in the northern province of Quang Ninh.

The operation unfolded when police working alongside immigration management officials, inspected a house in Mong Cai that borders China and found the 34 foreigners - one Malaysia, two Chinese and 31 Filipinos, residing illegally.

A massive haul of electronics were seized, including 75 mobile phones, 31 laptops, seven desktop computers, and one tablet. Authorities also discovered numerous networking devices, cables, and chargers at the scene.

31 Philippine citizens and one Malaysian citizen complete departure procedures at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi to return to their home countries. Photo by police

The group told the authorities that the hardware had been set up and installed by their recruiters prior to their arrival.

They said they had initially traveled to Vietnam for tourism and to seek legitimate employment opportunities.

They were contacted by Chinese recruiters they did not personally know via messaging applications such as Telegram, WeChat, and Viber. The recruiters promised them high-paying positions in online sales and customer service and provided remote instructions for them to travel to Mong Cai to begin their jobs.

Police said the operation was busted before any scam was committed.

All the 34 cooperated with investigators, providing information to help identify and dismantle the broader criminal network. They were subsequently repatriated, two Chinese nationals via the Mong Cai International Border Gate, and the Malaysian and Philippine nationals via Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi.