(TAP) - Recently, the Da Nang city police (Vietnam) discovered and arrested three Chinese nationals for illegally using international payment card information to defraud over 30 billion VND. The group rented an apartment in the city to carry out their illegal activities.
3 Chinese subjects illegally used international payment card information, appropriating up to 30 billion VND. Source: Vietnam Ministry of Public Security Electronic Information Portal
Specifically, according to the Ministry of Public Security's official portal on August 12, the case was led by the Department of Cybersecurity and High-Tech Crime Prevention, in coordination with the Investigation Police Agency, the Immigration Management Department, and Thanh Khe Ward Police. After a period of surveillance and professional measures, authorities identified the suspects' methods of operation and proceeded with their arrest.
On August 5, 2025, Da Nang police deployed multiple task forces, one of which conducted an urgent search of an apartment on Ham Nghi Street (Da Nang City, Vietnam), where the suspects had rented a unit to serve as their "headquarters" for illegal activities. At the scene, two Chinese nationals: YI HUAIBIN (born 2006) and ZHANG JINMIN (born 1992) were arrested. During the search, police seized 11 POS (point-of-sale) devices, 196 transaction receipts, 3 international payment cards, 2 laptops, and 10 mobile phones. At the same time, at Tan Son Nhat Airport (Ho Chi Minh City), another task force apprehended YI HUAIMOU (born 1991), the older brother of YI HUAIBIN, as he attempted to flee Vietnam.
Evidence related to the illegal use of international cards seized at the scene. Source: Vietnam Ministry of Public Security Electronic Information Portal
Initial investigations revealed that the suspects had illegally used other people's international payment card information to carry out fraudulent transactions on POS machines, thereby seizing money from victims’ accounts.
During the expanded investigation, authorities arrested two additional Vietnamese suspects: Trần Quang Trà (born 1990) and Trịnh Thị Khánh Linh (born 1996, Trà's wife), both residing in Thăng Bình Commune, Da Nang City. The couple was found to be connected to the criminal network and had assisted the Chinese suspects in their fraudulent activities. At their residence, police seized an additional 14 POS machines, 15 bank cards and 186 fake transaction receipts.
Suspects Tran Quang Tra and Trinh Thi Khanh Linh were arrested by the authorities. Source: Vietnam Ministry of Public Security Electronic Information Portal
Authorities have so far determined that the group illegally appropriated approximately 30 billion VND. The case remains under expanded investigation to clarify the roles of additional individuals involved and ensure strict legal action in accordance with the law.
Van Thy