600 Visa, Mastercard holders scammed by HCMC group

The economic police division under HCMC's Department of Public Security on Wednesday said the suspects are under investigation for property appropriation using computer networks, telecommunications or electronic devices.

The arrests are part of a larger investigation into a criminal ring led by Dao Thi Kieu Oanh and Le Thi Kim Hoa. Authorities revealed that from October to December 2022, the group swindled more than VND7.2 billion ($287,942) from credit card holders and stole over VND1.8 billion.

In July 2022, Oanh established P&L International Commerce Company in Tan Binh District, using her lover's name. Hoa later contributed VND300 million and opened a new branch. Together, they recruited employees to help execute their fraud schemes.

Their method involved calling cardholders, pretending to be bank employees, and offering enticing policies to encourage withdrawals. Victims were then tricked into providing personal information, including card numbers and OTP codes, which were used to conduct transactions for fake products through platforms like Alepay or Vimo. The money would be sent into accounts created by Oanh and Hoa, and the group would return 75% of the received amount to the victims, keeping the remainder for themselves.

On Dec. 28, 2022, police raided three offices in Tan Binh District, detaining Oanh, Hoa and over 80 accomplices. Authorities seized hundreds of laptops, phones, vehicles and other equipment during the operation.

The investigation remains ongoing.