22 Chinese citizens arrested in Vũng Tàu for credit card fraud

BÀ RỊA-VŨNG TÀU — Police in the southern province of Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu have arrested 22 Chinese citizens accused of making fake credit cards and organising gambling over the internet.

The police surveilled the group of Chinese nationals, allegedly involved in using technology to carry out illegal activities in Vũng Tàu City.

On Wednesday, provincial police in co-ordination with the Ministry of Public Security raided three villas and a hotel in Vũng Tàu’s wards 1 and 2.

The group of 20 men and two women was caught using machines and electronic equipment to carry out high-tech crimes with Vietnamese accomplices who acted as translators.

As many as 41 desktop computers, 13 laptops, 300 mobile phones, 200 blank cards and 33 credit cards issued by Chinese banks were seized by the police. They also took custody of VNĐ650 billion (US$27,900), US$100 and 8,500 Chinese yuan.

Examination of the computers indicated that the group was illegally accessing websites designed for Chinese gamblers. The computers also contained information relating to numerous banking accounts of individuals in the United States and Britain.

The suspects confessed to the police that they came to Việt Nam to make fake credit cards and gamble online.

The case is still under investigation. — VNS