(Vietnam Insider) – Police in Ho Chi Minh City have arrested a Taiwanese national accused of running a prostitution ring catering exclusively to foreign clients and illegally trading nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas.
The Criminal Investigation Division confirmed that Chen Ci Fu, owner of KTV Richy restaurant in the Him Lam Residential Area of Tân Hưng Ward (formerly District 7), was taken into custody along with fellow Taiwanese national Chen Hung Kai and two Vietnamese women.
Chen faces charges of brokering prostitution and trafficking banned goods. Authorities said he had recruited at least seven women and directed them to provide sexual services to foreign guests at prices ranging from VND5–8 million (US$190–300) per encounter.
Following surveillance of the area, undercover officers raided nearby hotels and apartments, catching several women engaged in prostitution. The women told investigators they had been instructed by Chen to “serve customers,” with strict orders not to entertain Vietnamese clients.
During the raid, police also discovered 756 canisters of nitrous oxide, pumps, and balloons stored at the restaurant for sale to customers. Investigators seized business records allegedly showing Chen and a Vietnamese female manager had been running the trade, generating profits worth hundreds of millions of dong.
Authorities said the case highlights the growing challenge of managing illicit nightlife activities in expat-frequented areas of Ho Chi Minh City. Chen and the other suspects remain in custody as police continue to collect evidence and expand the investigation.
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Source: Vietnam Insider