On March 3, Hanoi police announced that they had broken up a cross-border telecom scam group hidden in an upscale apartment in Cau Giay district and arrested seven foreign suspects: three Chinese and four Japanese citizens. Police identified a Chinese man with the initials Z.H. as the alleged leader. The group was said to have used electronic visas to enter Vietnam from August 2025 and operated covertly there over an extended period.
According to investigators, the suspects impersonated Japanese police officers, prosecutors and other public officials, telling victims by telephone that they were implicated in offences and inducing them to “cooperate with investigations” by transferring money. Most victims were Japanese. About US$450,000 had been identified as involved. Police seized 65 phones, 19 tablet computers, 12 walkie-talkies and four sets of imitation police uniforms.
Hanoi police said such transnational high-tech scams caused major economic losses and affected Vietnam’s international image. A similar case targeting South Korean citizens had been uncovered locally in January. Police said foreign-related scams were becoming more organised and concealed. Further proceedings in the case were continuing.