Vietnam busts Chinese group scamming Japanese shoppers on fake e-commerce sites

Vietnam busts Chinese group scamming Japanese shoppers on fake e-commerce sites


Xing Yannank, the suspected mastermind of a Chinese scam group in Ho Chi Minh City, is arrested by the police. Photo courtesy of the police

A group of Chinese nationals operating out of Vietnam have been arrested for running an online scam that defrauded Japanese victims of nearly US$500,000 through fake e-commerce platforms and cryptocurrency schemes.

Police of Ho Chi Minh City on April 29 detained Xing Yannank, 35, along with 30 other Chinese and Vietnamese suspects, for allegedly using telecommunications networks and electronic devices to commit large-scale fraud.

A coordinated raid on six locations across the city uncovered hundreds of phones, laptops, and tablets, along with a bag of methamphetamine.

According to investigators, the suspects had entered Vietnam via various border crossings over a three-month period and settled in upscale neighborhoods in the city. They operated out of a three-story house in the Khang Dien residential area, disguised as a convenience store called Viet Hoa.

Inside, officers discovered a full-scale cybercrime operation. Using social media platforms, the group allegedly targeted Japanese users, luring them into investing or purchasing from fake e-commerce sites. Victims were instructed to transfer payments in cryptocurrency or Japanese yen to designated accounts, only for the scammers to cut off contact once funds were received.

Police say the syndicate also promoted fraudulent cryptocurrency investment schemes, with all illicit proceeds managed by ringleader Xing. Members of the group reportedly earned up to VND50 million ($1,922) per month, plus performance bonuses.

In just two months, the operation is believed to have defrauded Japanese victims of over USDT486,000 ($486,138), with Xing personally receiving more than USDT38,000.

An investigation is ongoing.


VietBF@ Sưu tập