Hanoi police have successfully shut down a massive illegal online football betting operation worth an estimated 800 billion VND (approximately $32 million). Key suspects, Nguyen Van Nam and Nguyen Van Phong, along with several accomplices, have been arrested.

A sophisticated criminal network

On February 10, Hanoi police announced that they had dismantled a large-scale gambling and betting network that operated through online football betting platforms. Six suspects have been formally charged and detained for "Organizing Gambling" and "Gambling."

The operation was led by Nguyen Van Phong (born 1983, from Dong Anh district, Hanoi) and Nguyen Van Nam (born 1990, from Bac Ninh city, Bac Ninh province). Both individuals have extensive criminal records and operated with a high level of sophistication, ensuring a well-structured division of roles within their network.

Advanced digital methods to evade detection

The suspects relied on internet-based platforms and encrypted messaging apps such as Telegram and Zalo to conduct illegal transactions. They also used bank accounts registered under fake identities to avoid detection by law enforcement agencies.

On January 19, 2025, Hanoi’s Criminal Police Department launched a coordinated raid, arresting eight individuals, including Nam and Phong.

Investigations revealed that since June 2024, Nam and Nguyen Huu Quynh (born 1985, from Tien Du district, Bac Ninh province) had collaborated to run the betting ring. Nguyen Tien Dung (born 1986, from Bac Ninh city) provided Nam with two high-limit online betting accounts, which Nam then passed on to Quynh for oversight and payment processing.

From June 2024 to January 2025, the total betting turnover reached a staggering 800 billion VND ($32 million). In an effort to continue operations undetected, Nam later transferred control of the accounts to Phong and Hoang Anh Quang (born 1985, from Dan Phuong district, Hanoi).

Authorities seize assets and continue investigation

As police intensified their crackdown on organized crime in early 2025, the suspects switched to new accounts to obscure their illegal activities.

Further investigation uncovered another betting account controlled by Tran Minh Hoang (born 1986), who received it from Duong Van Dai (born 1975, from Long Bien district, Hanoi). Hoang then handed management of the account to Doan Hoai Nam (born 1991), who in turn facilitated bets for Nguyen Trung Hieu (born 1986).

During raids on the suspects' residences, police confiscated:

Three luxury cars
Eighteen mobile phones
500 million VND ($20,000) in frozen bank accounts

Authorities are continuing to expand the investigation to track additional individuals involved in the illegal gambling network.

Tien Dung