Suspects linked to the case. — VNA/VNS Photos

HÀ NỘI — Police in Thanh Hóa central province reported that they have dismantled a major transnational cockfighting and gambling ring known as Viengxay.

The operation was carried out in coordination with the Ministry of Public Security’s Criminal Police Department, Việt Nam’s police representative office in Laos and Lao authorities.

The ring was reportedly led by Đào Anh Dũng, 47, and his wife Quách Thị Hằng. 

It handled more than VNĐ1.2 trillion (US$45.5 million) in transactions. 

Investigators have prosecuted 196 suspects and arrested 205 people during coordinated raids.

Police launched the probe after detecting a high volume of Vietnamese nationals travelling to Laos under suspicious circumstances. 

Acting on directives from the Ministry of Public Security and the Criminal Police Department, authorities in Thanh Hóa province opened a special-case investigation, collecting evidence, mapping operational methods and identifying key roles.

The inquiry found the Viengxay group to be a highly organised, professional and cross-border criminal network. Investors held 3–10 per cent stakes (about VNĐ400 million–1.5 billion) to fund venues for Vietnamese bettors. 

Facilities included dining areas, canteens and guest rooms; organisers charged a 5 per cent commission on winnings to fund operations and distributed profits according to capital shares.

Quách Thị Hằng is accused of overseeing daily operations including reception, cashiers, accounting, broadcast and commentary, security and catering, supported by a hired workforce. The network operated in multiple tiers with clearly assigned responsibilities.

Financial analysis showed commission receipts of more than VNĐ13 billion in 19 days from January 29 to the takedown. 

Investigators have traced over VNĐ1.2 trillion in gambling transactions. Seized assets include 36 cars, 186 mobile phones, electronic devices and documents, 23 fighting roosters, 208 passports and travel papers, VNĐ205.3 million in cash, and frozen bank assets exceeding VNĐ5 billion.

Đào Anh Dũng at police station.

The ring also ran online betting via the website tg999.live and a Telegram group truonggaviengxay999, attracting thousands of Vietnamese accounts. Four organiser-linked accounts recorded more than 10,000 transactions totalling over VNĐ150 billion from November 2025 to the arrests.

The Thanh Hóa Investigative Police have charged 196 suspects, 60 with organising gambling and 136 with gambling and detained 147 pending further probes. 

Authorities say the investigation has uncovered signs of unlawful detention and robbery. 

Investigations continue to determine full criminal liability under Vietnamese law. — VNS