Authorities in Thai Binh have officially charged 21 people suspected of being part of a sophisticated international criminal network linked to gambling and money laundering.
This operation is significant as it marks the first instance in Vietnam where artificial intelligence (AI) was used to aid financial crime.
Over 1M User Accounts Uncovered
The suspects were reportedly connected to KUBET, a foreign-based gambling website offering games like online lottery, football betting, and “tai xiu,” a favored dice game.
Vietnamese participants accessed the platform via smartphones, creating accounts tied directly to their bank details and placing real-money bets.
As the investigation progressed, officials discovered the network had amassed over 1 million user accounts, with total bets exceeding 1 trillion VND ($39.2 million).
However, the gambling was just the tip of the iceberg.
Further investigation revealed a sophisticated laundering operation involving shell bank accounts and advanced digital techniques.
A Taiwanese national, identified as the ringleader, orchestrated the scheme with at least one local accomplice in Vietnam.
They enlisted others to open numerous bank accounts in domestic banks. These accounts facilitated the movement and concealment of large sums generated from illegal gambling.
To further obscure their activities, the group used remote computers with internet banking apps. When transactions exceeded 10 million VND ($392), requiring biometric verification, they used AI-deepfake videos of account holders to bypass bank security.
This method enabled high-value transactions without the account owners’ physical presence.
500 Bank Accounts Frozen
Authorities have frozen over 500 bank accounts linked to the operation, estimating that the laundering process funneled over 200 billion VND ($7.84 million) each month.
Between September 2024 and April 2025, the laundered funds are believed to have exceeded 1 trillion VND.
The investigation is ongoing, and more suspects may be involved.
“This is a large-scale transnational organized crime ring using sophisticated methods, including employing AI technology for the first time in Vietnam for such crimes,” authorities said.
As digital crime evolves, Vietnamese law enforcement faces increasing pressure to stay ahead of the technologies exploited by criminal networks.
Earlier this year, Dong Nai authorities dismantled an illegal sports betting operation allegedly yielding VND 1.2 trillion ($47.8 million).
At the end of last month, Vietnam announced a potential $2.2 billion casino resort amid the growing gaming sector in Southeast Asia.
- SCCG Management. The Gambling Industry’s Global Connector. Access Here.
- Source: SCCGManagement.com
