UPDATE: Authorities in Vietnam have launched a significant crackdown on illegal gambling, arresting 31 individuals in a series of coordinated raids in Nha Trang just hours ago. Among those detained are 30 Chinese nationals and 1 Vietnamese citizen, as police dismantle five illegal online gambling operations that exploited tourist visas and operated from unregistered residential properties.
This urgent operation, carried out by the Khanh Hoa Provincial Police, uncovered sophisticated gambling rings operating out of hotels and luxury apartments. Officers seized 40 laptops and 112 mobile phones linked to ongoing betting activities, indicating a well-organized network targeting overseas players.
Officials report that the gambling operations were set up by individuals entering Vietnam on tourist visas, raising serious concerns about security and law enforcement in the region. As the country recently allowed limited access to casinos for its citizens, the illegal gambling sector remains a major challenge for authorities.
Vietnam’s government has been vigilant against illegal gambling, particularly operations involving foreign individuals. The latest crackdown highlights a growing trend, as coastal cities like Nha Trang become hotspots for these criminal activities, fueled by tourist traffic and modern infrastructure.
This incident follows another major bust in June, where police in Thai Binh Province charged 21 individuals in connection with an international gambling and money laundering network linked to KUBET, a foreign-based platform. Investigators discovered that the group had over 1 million user accounts and total wagers exceeding 1 trillion VND (approximately $38 million), with operations utilizing advanced techniques such as AI-generated deepfake videos to bypass security measures.
The Vietnamese government is under increasing pressure to adapt to the rapidly evolving landscape of online gambling and financial crime. With technology reshaping these sectors, law enforcement is compelled to re-evaluate their strategies to maintain public safety and uphold the integrity of the regulated market.
As investigations continue, authorities have not yet released the identities of the suspects, emphasizing the ongoing nature of this high-profile case. Residents and tourists in Vietnam remain on alert as police continue to tackle illegal gambling activity, a pressing concern that threatens both financial security and public order.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as Vietnam intensifies its battle against illegal gambling networks.
