An Giang police uncovered a network posing as hotels and resorts on Phu Quoc to take customers' money. More than VND 6,000 trillion moved through related accounts.
On October 13, An Giang police announced that they had uncovered a network that faked hotel and resort websites and social media pages in the Phu Quoc special administrative zone to commit fraud and take property. More than VND 6,000 trillion moved through related accounts.
Colonel Nguyen Nhat Truong, deputy director of the An Giang police and head of its investigation agency, said the criminal police division and the division for cybersecurity and high-tech crime prevention detected an organized group in April 2026. The group created social media pages and websites posing as five-star hotels and resorts in the Phu Quoc special administrative zone to deceive customers looking for accommodation.
The suspects ran advertisements and bought fake engagement to create an appearance of credibility, then persuaded customers to transfer deposits. After receiving the money, they cut off contact and took the funds. Given the nature and scale of the case, An Giang police set up a special investigation team to investigate and arrest the suspects.
On July 10, the team launched an operation and arrested four suspects. So far, criminal proceedings have been initiated against 10 defendants and they have been held in temporary detention, while another suspect was temporarily detained. Investigators are continuing to clarify the roles of other people involved. The investigation agency also imposed temporary exit bans on 12 people and reviewed 229 related bank accounts. The total value of transactions through them exceeded VND 6,000 trillion.
As the investigation expanded, the team determined that 17 of the 60 victims had transferred a total of billions of dong to accounts registered to KOKOSA. In addition to fake room-booking services, the suspects used other fraud scenarios, including collecting tuition, selling insurance and a "Young Pilot" program. The investigation agency opened three more related cases for further investigation and legal action.
The suspects also set up shell companies and opened bank accounts in the names of legal entities to build trust and persuade victims to transfer money. Combining shell companies with fake information online made it harder for people to identify and verify the services.
An Giang police are continuing the investigation, clarifying the conduct of those involved and taking action in accordance with the law.
Sources: Thanh Niên
Sources: Thanh Niên
