Vietnam prosecutes 181 in massive 1.1 billion data fraud ring

The Supreme People's Procuracy has completed the prosecution of 181 individuals involved in a massive fraud ring that traded over 1.1 billion pieces of personal data and defrauded more than 5,400 victims of nearly 40 billion VND.

Trần Quang Đạo is charged with “fraudulent appropriation of property” and “illegal provision or use of information on computer networks and telecommunications networks.” Đạo allegedly operated four businesses in Ho Chi Minh City to facilitate the scheme. To target victims, Đạo purchased 1.11 billion pieces of personal data from Trần Tấn Tài, who acquired the information via social media for approximately 1.4 billion VND and resold it to Đạo for over 2.16 billion VND.

The group specifically targeted elderly individuals who frequently purchase health supplements. Using internet calling services, employees posed as hospital or medical center staff, offering fake prizes such as “10 months of free bird's nest water” to lure victims into paying small shipping fees before executing larger scams.