VIETNAM – Law enforcement agencies across Vietnam are intensifying their efforts to dismantle criminal organizations, with major operations recently leading to high-profile prosecutions in both Ho Chi Minh City and the northern province of Thanh Hoa. The crackdowns target a range of illicit activities, from predatory lending and extortion to established gangland operations.
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| Hoang Ngoc Son and Cao Thanh Lap at the police station - Photo: Provided by Police |
Ho Chi Minh City: Predatory Loan Ring Busted for Using Nude Photos for Extortion
In a disturbing case from the nation's southern economic hub, the Ho Chi Minh City Police have officially prosecuted a criminal group for their involvement in a predatory lending scheme that employed heinous methods to coerce debtors.
According to investigators, the ring specialized in usury, or "cho vay nặng lãi," offering loans at exorbitant interest rates to financially vulnerable individuals. The group's criminal methods escalated dramatically when borrowers were unable to meet the crippling repayment schedules. It is alleged that the suspects forced debtors to submit nude photographs as collateral. They then used these images to blackmail and threaten victims, demanding repayment under the fear of having their private photos publicly exposed.
This form of sexual extortion marks a severe and predatory evolution in financial crime, and the successful operation to dismantle the group is a significant victory for the city's police force in its fight to protect citizens from such exploitation.
Thanh Hoa: Wife of Notorious Gang Boss Prosecuted
Meanwhile, in a separate major development in Thanh Hoa province, authorities have prosecuted the wife of a notorious gangster known as Vi "ngộ." The nickname "ngộ" often translates to "crazy" or implies erratic, dangerous behavior, indicating that her husband is a well-known and feared figure in the local underworld.
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| Authorities have initiated legal proceedings against Phạm Thị Hương Giang, the wife of the gangster leader known as Vi "Ngộ" |
The prosecution of a key family member of a crime boss is a strategic move by law enforcement, often signaling a deeper investigation aimed at completely dismantling the gang's network and illicit operations, which can include money laundering, drug trafficking, and other illegal businesses often managed by close associates or family. This action demonstrates a commitment to not just targeting the leaders but also disrupting the entire supporting structure of the criminal enterprise.
These two distinct but concurrent cases underscore a broader, nationwide commitment by Vietnamese authorities to uphold the rule of law and ensure social order by aggressively targeting organized crime in all its forms. The high-profile nature of these prosecutions sends a powerful message that such criminal activities will not be tolerated.
