2 arrested for trafficking 6 people to the Golden Triangle for scam operations

Bui Thi Thao, 31, and Le Van Ha, 26, were detained by Nghe An Provincial Police on Friday on charges of human trafficking.

Bui Thi Thao (L) and Le Van Ha at a police station in Nghe An Province. Photo by police

The investigation revealed that more than a year ago, Thao and Ha lured six individuals in Nghe An to Thailand with promises of jobs involving "computer work" for a salary of VND20 million (US$845) per month.

However, instead of providing jobs, the duo transported the victims to the Golden Triangle area in Myanmar and sold them to international scam organizations for labor exploitation.

The victims were forced to sign contracts, have their passports confiscated, and were given a computer, two phones, and a file with instructions on how to scam clients via social media. They were made to work 12 to 17 hours a day under constant surveillance, with physical punishment for those who resisted.

The victims later contacted their families in Nghe An Province, who then reported to the police.

In response, police launched an investigation. In early April, they discovered that Thao and Ha had entered Vietnam through the Moc Bai International Border Gate in Tay Ninh Province, near Ho Chi Minh City, and arrested them shortly thereafter.

Authorities have not disclosed how much money Thao and Ha received from the criminal organizations in exchange for trafficking the victims. The investigation is ongoing.

The Golden Triangle, where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet, has long been associated with criminal activities. Historically notorious for opium production and trafficking, the region became a hub for drug trade and smuggling due to its remote location and lack of effective government control. Despite efforts to curb these activities, the Golden Triangle continues to be linked with illegal drug trade and human trafficking.