Vietnamese police have dismantled a Korean telecom scam ring accused of specifically targeting their compatriots, arresting eight South Koreans. According to investigations, after the Cambodian government’s crackdown on telephone scam compounds, this group moved to Vietnam in January this year.
Online media outlet “Vietnam Express” reported that police in Bac Ninh province in northern Vietnam announced the arrest of the scam ring members on the 10th.
The gang operated both in Cambodia and Vietnam, with the total defrauded amount reaching approximately 1.2 billion Korean Won (319.3 thousand Malaysian Ringgit). Within just over a month of moving to Vietnam, they committed around 20 fraud cases, amounting to 622.6 million Korean Won (165.66 thousand Malaysian Ringgit).
The ring was headed by 42-year-old Korean man Son Chan-hyun. After being apprehended, he confessed that the actual mastermind was a Chinese national involved in cross-border fraud in Cambodia, nicknamed "Big Tiger." “Big Tiger” first recruited several Koreans in scam compounds in Cambodia, primarily targeting victims back in Korea.
Following increased crackdowns on scam compounds by Cambodian authorities in recent months, the gang members entered Hanoi on January 13th, taking advantage of Vietnam’s unilateral visa exemption policy for Koreans. In early February, they rented a house in Bac Ninh province as their new hideout.
Son Chan-hyun directed his seven Korean accomplices via Telegram, including assigning tasks, tracking progress, doling out bonuses, or imposing punishments. He also instructed them to study scam scripts, and used his years of experience to improve upon their scam techniques.
Their primary targets were businesses and distributors in Korea. After collecting basic information about their targets online, they would first call the target pretending to be representatives from diplomatic agencies, claiming the need to urgently order large quantities of goods. Once the business fell for the ruse and began searching for suppliers, Son Chan-hyun would step in, impersonating a supplier claiming to have the goods the victim business needed and offering them below market price, but requiring a 50% deposit or full payment upfront.
Once the victim business transferred funds as instructed by Son Chan-hyun to a bank account designated by “Big Tiger,” contact would be immediately cut off, and the victim’s calls and messages would be blocked.