# Transnational fraud investigations in Vietnam and Laos > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/transnational-fraud-investigations-in-vietnam-and-laos > Updated: 2026-08-23T13:58:12.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 2. Authorities in Vietnam and Laos have arrested individuals involved in separate transnational fraud schemes. In Son La, police arrested Quàng Văn Tân, director of Tan Phat Agricultural Products Import-Export Co., Ltd., for fraudulent appropriation of assets. Investigators determined the company had no legitimate agricultural trade operations and was used as a front to defraud Vietnamese and Laotian citizens of billions of dong. Tân allegedly deceived Laotian nationals with promises of vehicle transport services and solicited Vietnamese citizens for purported agricultural investments. In Lai Chau, police arrested Duong Phuong Thao, born in 2005, identified as a key intermediary in a transnational organized crime ring. Thao acted as a link between a foreign ringleader and a group of Vietnamese operatives. This group utilized insurance impersonation tactics, directing victims to link VNeID accounts to bank accounts via QR codes under the pretext of receiving social welfare payments for minors. This method allowed the group to seize funds from victims' bank accounts across various provinces in Vietnam. This investigation is part of the expansion of Case 0726L. It follows a July 2026 operation in Bokeo Province, Laos, where international coordination led to the apprehension of 40 Vietnamese citizens operating a cybercrime organization. To date, investigators have prosecuted a total of 41 defendants for fraudulent appropriation of property, with estimated losses reaching nearly 10 billion VND. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-23: Lai Chau Police arrest key figure in transnational fraud ring Lai Chau Police arrested Duong Phuong Thao, a key figure in a transnational fraud ring that stole nearly 10 billion VND by impersonating insurance staff to scam VNeID users. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lai-chau-police-arrest-key-figure-in-10-billion-vnd-fraud-ring ### 2026-08-15: Quàng Văn Tân arrested for transnational fraud in Vietnam and Laos Son La police have arrested Quàng Văn Tân for conducting a transnational fraud scheme involving his shell company, Tan Phat Agricultural Products Import-Export Co., Ltd., targeting victims in Vietnam and Laos. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/qung-vn-tn-arrested-for-transnational-fraud-in-vietnam-and-laos --- Cite as: Transnational fraud investigations in Vietnam and Laos. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/transnational-fraud-investigations-in-vietnam-and-laos