Behind the façade of a successful businessman, Bui Quoc Tuan - known as Tuan "Cho Goc" - was in fact the ringleader of a massive illegal gambling and betting network. In 2024 alone, transactions linked to this operation totaled over 2.5 trillion VND (approximately $101 million).

On the afternoon of March 31, police in Thai Binh province announced that the provincial Criminal Investigation Department had officially filed charges and issued arrest warrants for 39 individuals involved in the gambling ring.

This was a high-profile case spanning several localities, including Thai Binh, Hai Duong, and Hanoi. Some of the suspects operated under the guise of legitimate businesspeople.

According to investigators, the mastermind behind the operation was Bui Quoc Tuan (born 1970), nicknamed Tuan "Cho Goc," residing in Quang Trung Ward, Thai Binh City.

Masquerading as a successful entrepreneur, Tuan established an elaborate multi-level network, with three major branches operating just within Thai Binh province. Only trusted associates and close allies were aware of his true role as the leader of the syndicate.

The ring utilized telecommunications and digital platforms to conduct its criminal activities. Members communicated via social media apps like Zalo, Telegram, and SMS, often forming secret groups that would be deleted or disbanded after use. Payments for gambling activities were primarily made through bank transfers, with account numbers frequently changed to avoid detection.

Preliminary investigations revealed that in 2024 alone, the total value of gambling transactions within the network exceeded 2.5 trillion VND.

During the operation, authorities confiscated a large amount of cash and froze or seized assets and real estate valued at more than 700 billion VND (around $28 million).

To acknowledge the significant efforts of the investigative team in uncovering and dismantling this large-scale criminal network, the People's Committee of Thai Binh Province and the Provincial Police Department held a ceremony on the afternoon of March 31 to present commendations to the special task force.

Trong Tung