Vietnam and Laos police bust massive transnational online gambling syndicate

Police in Vietnam and Laos have teamed up to take down a massive international gambling ring that was running large-scale online operations in both countries. Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security announced this joint action in an official statement.

Following orders from Deputy Minister Nguyen Van Long, who also heads the Investigation Police Agency, Vietnam’s Criminal Police Department worked closely with local police units and their counterparts in Laos.

On May 18, 2025, authorities from Vietnam and Laos launched a coordinated operation to bust a network accused of using high-tech methods to organize and manage illegal online gambling.

Transnational online gambling ring operated in Vietnam and Laos

The press release (translated into English) stated that this was a “transnational organized crime group using high technology.” The public security bureau said that it had initiated criminal proceedings against 31 suspects, including 27 for organizing gambling and four for gambling.

Mai Anh Viet (left) and Nguyen Huu Son (right), alleged ringleaders of a transnational online gambling operation, were arrested following a coordinated crackdown by Vietnamese and Lao police forces. Credit: Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security

The man believed to be behind the operation is Mai Anh Viet, 44, who lives in Phuong Lien Ward, Dong Da District, Hanoi. He reportedly has a past record for intentional injury. Authorities say he took advantage of his location in Vientiane, Laos, to run several online gambling websites. The sites offered things like football betting, baccarat, and dice games.

On May 18, Lao police, working with information from Vietnam’s Criminal Police Department, raided several locations in Vientiane. There, they found Viet and his group using computers, laptops, and phones to run the gambling platforms.

The group was allegedly managing the websites, giving instructions to players, and actively promoting the illegal operation.

Police say they seized 35 mobile phones, 12 desktop computers, and 25 laptops during the raids. Then, on May 19, the Lao Ministry of Public Security handed over 29 Vietnamese nationals to authorities in Vietnam. The group is said to have included a 15-year-old. Along with the suspects, they also turned over all the related evidence and documents.

At the same time, in Vietnam, police carried out coordinated raids in several cities and provinces, including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Ninh Thuan, Dong Nai, and Phu Yen. They brought in 10 more people believed to be involved in the gambling ring.

During those searches, officers collected 10 mobile phones, one desktop computer, and equipment used for livestreaming and promoting the illegal gambling sites.

Suspects accused of running online gambling scheme

One of the main accomplices, according to investigators, is Nguyen Huu Son. He’s 41 and lives in District 8, Ho Chi Minh City.

“Suspects confessed that since 2023, Viet had partnered with Son to contact a foreign company providing gambling websites and services to run an online gambling operation. Viet recruited Vietnamese nationals to Laos, assigning trusted associates to manage different website functions. Operations were divided into shifts (twice a day), including tech, account management, player support, deposit/withdrawal assistance, and logistics,” the statement said.

Police raided multiple locations linked to the online gambling ring, arresting suspects and seizing computers, phones, and other equipment used to manage illegal betting operations. Credit: Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security

Each team in the operation had specific responsibilities, including handling technical issues, managing user accounts, processing deposits and withdrawals, providing customer support, and taking care of logistics. In Vietnam, Son and Viet brought in others to help promote the gambling sites. They used livestreams and social media platforms to advertise and attract more players.

“Weekly, the group reconciled gamblers’ wins and losses, made payments to international bookmakers and service providers, and distributed illegal profits among the team members monthly.”

Early estimates show that in just the first five months of 2025, the gambling ring handled bets from thousands of players, with the total amount reaching close to 50 million US dollars, or about 1,300 billion Vietnamese đong. Investigators believe that some of the key members made personal profits ranging from hundreds of millions to even billions of dong.

To bring the suspects back for legal action, the Criminal Police Department also worked with the Cau Treo International Border Gate Border Guard Station in Ha Tinh, along with authorities in Laos.

Laos-Vietnam cross-collaboration

“This outcome demonstrates the effectiveness of Vietnam–Laos police cooperation in combating cross-border organized crime, reflecting the commitment of both Ministries of Public Security to international collaboration in crime prevention. It also strengthens the traditional friendship between the two countries’ police forces.”

Authorities have confirmed that the Investigation Police Agency is currently questioning suspects, gathering more evidence, and continuing to expand the investigation in order to track down any other individuals who may have been involved.

Featured image: Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security

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