Thai Binh, Vietnam — In a groundbreaking operation, Thai Binh Provincial Police have dismantled a massive transnational gambling and money laundering ring that exploited artificial intelligence (AI) to bypass security systems and move illicit funds across borders.
As of May 30, 21 suspects have been arrested and formally charged with gambling and money laundering under Articles 321 and 324 of the Penal Code. The criminal case has been approved by the Thai Binh Provincial People’s Procuracy, signaling Vietnam’s growing crackdown on tech-enabled crime.
A High-Tech Crime Syndicate
This criminal network—believed to be the first of its kind in Vietnam—used sophisticated AI technologies to facilitate large-scale gambling and launder money through a maze of digital transactions.
Authorities revealed that the syndicate operated the gambling platform “KUBET”, which is hosted on servers overseas. The website offered illegal betting services, including lotteries, football matches, and casino-style games. Vietnamese users accessed the platform via mobile phones, created gambling accounts, and linked them to domestic bank accounts to deposit and withdraw funds.
By the time authorities swooped in, over one million gambling accounts had been identified, with total wagers exceeding 1,000 billion VND (approximately USD 40 million).
AI-Fueled Money Laundering
The investigation uncovered an elaborate scheme run by a Taiwanese ringleader in collusion with accomplices inside Vietnam. To mask the money trail, the group hired individuals to open local bank accounts, which were then used to receive deposits from gamblers.
Here’s where the tech twist comes in: for large transfers (10 million VND or more), Vietnamese banking apps require biometric face authentication. The syndicate used AI-generated deepfake videos of account holders’ faces to fool the system and authorize transactions without the user’s physical presence—an alarming development for the country’s financial security infrastructure.
Massive Financial Trail
Authorities have already frozen more than 500 bank accounts, and estimate the group laundered over 200 billion VND (USD 8 million) each month. Between September 2024 and April 2025 alone, illicit transactions are believed to have totaled more than 1,000 billion VND.
The Provincial Police are now working closely with the Provincial People’s Procuracy to expand the investigation, gather more evidence, and bring the full force of the law down on all involved.
Vietnam Insider will continue to monitor this story as it unfolds, especially as it highlights a worrying new trend: the fusion of AI and organized crime. Stay tuned for updates.
Related
Discover more from Vietnam Insider
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Source: Vietnam Insider