HÀ NỘI — Criminals are using social networks to buy and sell humans organs, making it difficult for police to catch offenders.

There have been successful cases recently where Hà Nội City police have smashed large scale trafficking rings

Notably, in these cases, the "brokers" have taken advantage of social networks, especially Facebook, to introduce and sell kidneys. Brokers hid themselves on cyber accounts in order to trade organs in a sophisticated way.

Their tricky method was to set up closed groups on social networks, even on some public websites to advertise kidneys for sale.

Pages titled "Selling, donate and buying kidney", "Want to sell kidney" were found on Facebook, according to the city investigation police

For a long time, these social network sites have been constantly posting advertisements for the need of buying kidney. These advertisements noted clearly that people who want to sell kidneys need to do some tests first, including blood type, Hepatitis A, B, and C viruses, HIV, abdominal ultrasound, liver and kidney function tests.

After tests’ result, the kidney sellers-to-be must send to the hidden brokers on these social network sites to check. If tests meet the requirements, the brokers will contact directly to conduct the business.

Social network sites for illegal kidney trading activities have received a large amount of interaction. Many people need to sell kidneys due to their difficult circumstances or debt.

Hà Nội City police on October 15 and 17, discovered two organ and tissue trafficking rings, led by Trần Văn Phương, 29, living at Bắc Giang northern province’s Dương Đức Commune and Dương Văn Lộc, 31, residing at Hải Phòng City.

Those arrested told police they used social networks to approach sellers and buyers. The are currently remanded in custody awaiting court proceedings.

Kidney sellers receive from VNĐ250-320 million (US$10,700-13,700) each kidney while buyers have to pay VNĐ340-450 million ($14,600-19,300) each.

Previously, the city police also arrested Trương Minh Ngọc, 32, residing in Phú Thọ Province. Ngọc and his group used personal Facebook accounts to advertise people who need to sell kidneys. Police agency discovered Ngọc’s ring had been involved in about 40 cases.

Police warned patients and their families need to come to trusted hospitals and medical centres for finding information, registering to receive tissue and organs, waiting for opportunities to receive human kidney transplantation.

In addition to the role of police, the relevant agencies need to strengthen disseminating the law of human organ and tissue donating, encouraging people to donate for humane purposes. — VNS