Suspects write their testimonies at the scene. — Photo tuoitre.vn

HẢI PHÒNG — The Ministry of Public Security has busted a major gambling ring involving 400 Chinese nationals in Our City urban area on Phạm Văn Đồng Street, Dương Kinh District in the northeastern city of Hải Phòng.

According to the initial investigation, the transactions totalled approximately RMB3 billion (US$435 million).

Police raided the residential area on Saturday and found 20 servers and hundreds of client computers carefully hidden in different rooms in different buildings, likely to be used in the ring's cross-border gambling, sport betting and lottery betting activities.

The police seized 530 computers, nearly 2,000 smartphones, bank cards, cash and several files.

The suspects, aged between 18 and 24, were hired with a salary of $435 per month to work for the ring but came to Việt Nam under the guise of tourists. The suspects were divided into small groups and took their turns working in shifts. They were not allowed to go outside and all their activities took place within the urban area.

According to a Vietnam News Agency correspondent, as of 10pm on Saturday, the area was surrounded by multiple layers of law enforcement officers. All of its entrances were guarded around the clock.

The urban area was built in 2012 by a company from Hong Kong and consists of five apartment buildings and one large commercial centre.

Police said it was difficult to uncover the ring because they had been very careful. They chose the isolated, self-contained new urban area to avoid scrutiny from other residents and local authorities.

Only a few members had declared their temporary residence to the police, while others had said they were staying at local hotels to avoid being monitored.

Police are continuing to investigate the case. — VNS