Two of the four suspects, An (left) and Sáng. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Four people have been charged with human trafficking in Việt Nam for luring victims to Cambodia to work in an online fraud ring.

The Hà Nội People's Procuracy said it has completed its case against Nguyễn Thanh Sáng, from Hà Tĩnh Province; Lưu Trường An, from Hà Nội; and Hoàng Đình Sơn and Trần Quang Anh, both from Hải Phòng, for human trafficking.

The investigation found that Sáng and An went to Cambodia in 2022 to work for a Chinese-owned company, where they befriended Sơn and Anh.

The group was allegedly tasked with posing as young women on social media to befriend Vietnamese men and trick them into sending money in exchange for commissions.

The money was then pocketed by the scammers.

In early 2023, Sơn, Sáng and An returned to Việt Nam and allegedly began recruiting others to join the scam in Cambodia.

Authorities said An used Facebook to contact Nguyễn Văn Q., an 18-year-old from Bắc Giang Province. An allegedly told Q. that he could earn VNĐ25 million (US$980) monthly by creating fake Facebook accounts and chatting with Vietnamese men.

Q. agreed and was taken across the border. In Cambodia, he was given $300 for expenses and put to work for a company in Phnom Penh.

Q. was allegedly tasked with posing as a young woman on online platforms to befriend Vietnamese men and scam them.

According to authorities, the group was paid $1,000 for recruiting Q.

In early 2024, Q. refused to continue working for the company and demanded to return to Việt Nam. The company allegedly demanded a ransom of VNĐ200 million ($7,800).

Q. contacted his family, informing them of his situation. During the call, several men allegedly assaulted Q. to coerce his family into paying the ransom.

Initially, Q.'s father transferred VNĐ45 million ($1,761). As the amount fell short of their demands, Q. was taken to another company where he was allegedly forced to continue scamming.

Only after his father sent an additional VNĐ131 million ($5,127) to his purported captors was Q. released and returned to Việt Nam.

The father then reported the case to the police, and the four suspects were arrested. — VNS