Operating under the banner of a syndicate known as ETH, a human trafficking ring headquartered in Cambodia has been dismantled, with its members receiving heavy prison sentences in Vietnam.
The criminal network was highly organized, featuring dedicated departments for recruitment, sales, logistics, and accounting. At the head of the recruitment wing was Vu Thi Hong, also known as Tina, a native of Bac Ninh province. Hong used Telegram to scout for job seekers, specifically targeting fellow Vietnamese citizens. Once victims took the bait, she arranged for them to be transported from Ho Chi Minh City to An Giang province, where they were illegally smuggled across the border into Cambodia.
Upon arrival, Hong received a $600 commission for each person she lured, while other syndicate members handled housing and job assignments. The victims soon discovered there were no legitimate jobs. Instead, they were forced into labor and online scam operations. Those who failed to meet quotas faced beatings, electric shocks, or resale to other compounds. Families seeking the release of their loved ones were forced to pay hefty ransoms into designated accounts. According to local media, the gang victimized at least 16 people.
The People's Court of Khanh Hoa Province's Region 8 held a public trial for the case, convicting the defendants of human trafficking. As the ringleader, Vu Thi Hong was sentenced to 14 years in prison. Key accomplices received sentences ranging from eight to ten years, while minor accomplices who cooperated with investigators were handed five-year terms. The court also ordered the defendants to return all of their illicit profits. Locals following the case remarked that dreams of quick wealth across the border ultimately end behind iron bars.
