Vietnam police arrest Chinese online fraud ring targeting French victims

Police in Bac Ninh province seized 11 Chinese nationals suspected of operating a sophisticated online fraud scheme that defrauded French citizens. The group ran a fake e‑commerce platform called “Lucky Coin Mall,” used counterfeit Facebook profiles posing as French nationals, and lured victims through Telegram groups and social‑media messaging to invest money that was never returned. Authorities confiscated 11 computers and 12 mobile phones and continue investigations into money‑laundering activities involving cryptocurrency.

Separately, Dong Thap provincial police warned residents against sharing images of their national ID cards online. Scammers impersonating government officials have been using stolen ID photos to commit identity theft, obtain loans, and demand fees for bogus administrative procedures. The warning emphasized that legitimate procedures must be handled in person or through official government portals, not via Zalo, Messenger, or other social‑media channels.