The Khánh Hòa Provincial Police announced the successful dismantling of a cyber fraud ring that defrauded people of their assets through cryptocurrency investments on the "3COMMAS.ASIA" online trading platform, prosecuting seven defendants for "Fraudulent appropriation of property".
Interprovincial crime
According to the Khanh Hoa Provincial Police, in July 2025, through monitoring the online environment, law enforcement discovered a group of individuals in various locations across the country showing signs of organizing illegal multi-level marketing activities, luring people to invest in cryptocurrency through the "3COMMAS.ASIA" platform.
Among the victims were many residents of Khanh Hoa province, some from Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai , etc. These individuals participated in a multi-level marketing scheme using USDT, investing in cryptocurrencies, and receiving interest through the "3COMMAS.ASIA" trading platform in Khanh Hoa. Verification revealed that this group was staying at a hotel on Dinh Tien Hoang Street (Nha Trang ward).
The "3COMMAS.ASIA" exchange uses USDT cryptocurrency.
After hearing the report, the Board of Directors of the Khanh Hoa Provincial Police directed the Cyber Security Department to establish Special Case DC159 on September 15, 2025. The special case is headed by Major General Nguyen Huu Phuoc, Director of the Provincial Police, with Colonel Nguyen Dinh Thuan Hai, Deputy Director of the Police and Head of the Security Investigation Agency, as the permanent deputy head. Special Case DC159 is being investigated and clarified through the coordinated efforts of the Cyber Security Department and the Security Investigation Agency, along with other professional units.
The investigation team determined that this was a case with a new modus operandi emerging in the locality. The suspects were located in many different provinces and cities. The electronic data involved in the case was enormous, while experience in combating crime on this platform remained limited and challenging. The suspects used websites, e-wallets, social networks, etc., to operate.
Furthermore, the money is laundered through multiple layers, including cryptocurrencies, e-wallets, and intermediary wallets, to conceal criminal activity. Verifying wallet owners, tracing and freezing assets of the perpetrators is very difficult. Victims are scattered across many locations, and are reluctant to report, resulting in inconsistent information.
The ringleaders frequently moved between different locations. This made it very difficult for the investigative teams to approach and identify the ringleaders and the IT personnel (system operators). Meanwhile, the task force required simultaneous arrests, apprehending the suspects, preventing data deletion, and ensuring the suspects did not escape.
Officers from the Special Investigation Team 159 in Khanh Hoa Province held a meeting to discuss plans for coordinated investigation with the Phu Tho Provincial Police.
Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Sy Han, Deputy Head of the Cyber Security Department, who directly commanded the arrest teams at the scene, said, "Given the requirements, we assigned 7 task forces, each with 3-4 officers, to spread out to the localities where the suspects were located. Through monitoring, we found that these suspects frequently moved between provinces such as Hanoi, Hai Duong (formerly), Dong Nai, Phu Tho, Ho Chi Minh City, Hung Yen, Ninh Binh (formerly), Tay Ninh…"
Lieutenant Colonel Han added: "The requirements for the teams are to know the identity, background, image, means of transportation, and movements of the suspects and to report regularly. They must directly see what the suspects are doing and where they are. When making arrests, they must ensure safety, prevent escape, and avoid destroying evidence."
One unforgettable experience for the task force was the urgent need to approach and handle the situation amidst a storm hitting Hanoi. With a determined spirit to complete their mission, the task force set off, encouraged by Major General Nguyen Huu Phuoc, "Criminals aren't afraid, so what's there to fear from a storm!"
Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Sy Han added that one unforgettable aspect of the case was the enthusiastic cooperation of the leaders and officers of the Cyber Security Department of the Phu Tho Provincial Police. The Phu Tho Provincial Police assigned their best officers to four task forces to track down, collect electronic data, and identify suspects for arrest.
Not only the Phu Tho Provincial Police but also other units such as the Cyber Security Department, the Criminal Investigation Department, and other localities have wholeheartedly supported the Khanh Hoa Cyber Security force. All officers and soldiers are determined to achieve a single goal and are highly committed to combating, dismantling, and arresting individuals operating in cyberspace using fraudulent methods such as cryptocurrency investment and multi-level marketing schemes.
Cast the net, and catch the whole nest.
On the night of October 20, 2025, seven task forces identified and "directly observed" the suspects and their residences. The task forces requested approval from the Special Investigation Team for the arrest. In the early morning of October 21, the seven task forces, led by team leaders Luong Tuan Anh, Huynh Tran Viet Hung, Tran Nguyen Ngoc Hai, Phan Xuan Viet, Duong Duc Thinh, Nguyen Thanh Quang, and Ngo Xuan Phong, simultaneously launched their operation. The reconnaissance teams, along with local police, quickly raided the premises while the suspects were still asleep.
The investigation team identified Ngo Quang Son (born in 1982, residing in Thai Nguyen (formerly), currently living in Hanoi) as the ringleader, thus ensuring his arrest met the requirements. Ngo Thanh Long (born in 1989, residing in Ha Nam (formerly), currently living in Hanoi) was identified as the IT operator responsible for the system.
The suspect Ngo Quang Son was escorted from Hanoi to Khanh Hoa.
The key accomplices included: Nguyen Van Ngoc (born 1989, residing in Hai Duong), Nguyen Ngoc Loi (born 1972, residing in Bac Ninh), Nguyen Thi Minh (born 1962, residing in Ho Chi Minh City), Hoang Trung Thong (born 1982, residing in Phu Tho), and Bui Son Tung (born 1983, residing in Hai Phong). These individuals assisted in meeting, introducing, and inviting victims to participate in the "3Commas project".
During the investigation, these individuals stubbornly refused to admit to their criminal acts, defrauding victims into investing in a cryptocurrency system. Meanwhile, state agencies asserted that this system was not legally registered to operate.
Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Sy Han recounted: "Initially, Ngo Quang Son insisted that virtual currency had liquidity. However, when we requested them to withdraw money from their digital accounts, they were unable to do so. Faced with the evidence and sharp analysis of the investigators, these individuals had to bow their heads and admit to the fraudulent act."
The money that the victims deposited into the system was withdrawn by these individuals and spent on personal expenses. The interest that the victims received was taken from money paid by later participants to earlier participants. When the victims could no longer recruit others, the system collapsed, and all communication was cut off.
Arresting inter-provincial fraudsters while they are still asleep, preventing them from destroying evidence.
The suspect Ngo Quang Son confessed to purchasing this cryptocurrency investment system from an anonymous Chinese group via Telegram for 5,000 USDT (equivalent to 5,000 USD). Son then assigned Long to operate the system and organize a group to lure and entice individuals to invest in cryptocurrencies on the "3commas.asia" electronic exchange using a multi-level marketing scheme. The system had been operating for about a year when Son's group was apprehended.
Regarding the scam tactics, to attract victims, this group spread false information about a smart "Bot Trade" - an automated trading tool advertised as capable of generating stable profits of up to 0.7% per day. This attractive interest rate was calculated depending on the investment package, starting from a minimum of 2,000 USDT (over 50 million VND) and going up to 30,000 USDT (over 750 million VND).
Not stopping at direct profits, the system also employs a multi-level marketing model to encourage referrals. Accordingly, investors (the victims) receive commissions for introducing new people (direct commissions) and also commissions from the profits generated by the referred individuals (indirect commissions).
These scammers exploit the psychology of investors seeking high returns, offering commissions and interest payments. If victims fail to recruit others, the scheme collapses, and all communication is cut off.
People are extremely vigilant.
Colonel Phan Binh Duong, Head of the Cyber Security Department of Khanh Hoa Provincial Police, said that the case was complex, with the main perpetrators residing in areas outside the province, frequently moving, and not having a fixed residence, and a large number of victims.
Investigators determined that the suspects used digital platforms to build trust and entice people to invest in cryptocurrency with promises of high returns, ultimately defrauding them of their assets. The total amount initially estimated at stolen is nearly 2 billion VND. Under the decisive leadership of the Khanh Hoa Provincial Police Department, the determination of officers and soldiers, and with the significant support of other units, the special task force successfully completed its mission. The seven suspects have been charged with "Fraudulent appropriation of property." The investigation into this case is ongoing and being expanded.
To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Traditional Day of the Vietnam People's Security Force (July 12, 1946 – July 12, 2026), and in recognition of outstanding achievements in the fight against high-tech crime, the Emulation and Commendation Council of the Khanh Hoa Provincial Police Department proposed that the Chairman of the Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee award a certificate of merit to the Khanh Hoa Provincial Police Department and two individuals. The Director of the Provincial Police Department also awarded certificates of merit to two collectives and five individuals for their outstanding achievements in the case.
Source: https://nld.com.vn/hanh-trinh-pha-san-tien-ao-lua-dao-xuyen-tinh-196260522094018562.htm
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