How the Asian phone scam market operates today.
Hanoi police have uncovered an international fraud scheme in which participants posed as Japanese police officers and court officials. The suspects called Japanese residents, threatened them with criminal cases, and demanded that they transfer cryptocurrency "for verification." Over the course of several months, the group managed to swindle victims out of approximately 11 billion dong (approximately $420,000).
Hanoi Municipal Police conducted a series of simultaneous raids at four addresses. Immigration officers inspected apartments in the Ciputra residential area in Phu Thuong District, as well as apartments in the S Tower of the Mipec complex in Cau Giay District. The investigation uncovered an organized cross-border online fraud scheme.
Police detained seven foreigners: three Chinese citizens and four Japanese citizens. Investigators believe a Chinese citizen named ZH is the organizer.
According to preliminary data, the scheme's participants began operating in August 2025. The scammers posed as Japanese police officers, prosecutors, or court employees. During the calls, the scammers claimed that the caller's personal information was connected to a crime. After the conversation, the victim was asked to "assist the investigation" by transferring Ethereum cryptocurrency to a specified address.
During the search, police officers seized 65 mobile phones, 19 tablets, three laptops, 12 portable radios, four sets of Japanese police uniforms and cash in Vietnamese dong.
Hanoi police have uncovered an international fraud scheme in which participants posed as Japanese police officers and court officials. The suspects called Japanese residents, threatened them with criminal cases, and demanded that they transfer cryptocurrency "for verification." Over the course of several months, the group managed to swindle victims out of approximately 11 billion dong (approximately $420,000).
Hanoi Municipal Police conducted a series of simultaneous raids at four addresses. Immigration officers inspected apartments in the Ciputra residential area in Phu Thuong District, as well as apartments in the S Tower of the Mipec complex in Cau Giay District. The investigation uncovered an organized cross-border online fraud scheme.
Police detained seven foreigners: three Chinese citizens and four Japanese citizens. Investigators believe a Chinese citizen named ZH is the organizer.
According to preliminary data, the scheme's participants began operating in August 2025. The scammers posed as Japanese police officers, prosecutors, or court employees. During the calls, the scammers claimed that the caller's personal information was connected to a crime. After the conversation, the victim was asked to "assist the investigation" by transferring Ethereum cryptocurrency to a specified address.
During the search, police officers seized 65 mobile phones, 19 tablets, three laptops, 12 portable radios, four sets of Japanese police uniforms and cash in Vietnamese dong.
