Vietnam Transfers Three South Koreans Wanted for Telecom Fraud

Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security announced it has arrested and transferred three South Korean nationals to authorities from their home country. The individuals were sought on Interpol Red Notices for their alleged involvement in a large-scale telecommunications fraud operation that reportedly targeted South Korean citizens.

The transfer was coordinated between Vietnamese authorities and the South Korean National Police Agency. The three individuals, identified as Choi Deok-su, 39; Kim Hyoung-sik, 45; and Kim Tae-ho, 45, were handed over to South Korean officials at Nội Bài International Airport in Hanoi, according to statements from the ministry.

Vietnamese police, in coordination with their South Korean counterparts, located and detained the three men in Ho Chi Minh City. According to information released by the Ministry of Public Security, the suspects are accused of being key figures in a voice phishing ring.

Authorities allege the group operated by making phone calls to victims in South Korea while posing as representatives of financial institutions or law enforcement agencies. In these calls, they would allegedly instruct the targets to transfer money to designated bank accounts under false pretenses, such as pending legal issues or special loan offers.

South Korean police reported that the operation is believed to have defrauded numerous victims of approximately 4.2 billion Korean won (US$3.3 million). The investigation into the fraud ring has been ongoing, leading to the issuance of international arrest warrants for the individuals.

The arrests and subsequent handover are part of an ongoing cooperative effort between Vietnam and South Korea to address transnational crime. Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security stated that its actions reflect a commitment to international law enforcement agreements and to preventing Vietnam from being used as a base for criminal activities targeting other nations.

The ministry’s Department of Foreign Relations and the Criminal Police Department worked together to facilitate the operation. Officials have not released further details on the timeline of the arrests or the duration of the suspects’ stay in Vietnam.

Following their transfer, the three individuals will face legal proceedings in South Korea related to the fraud allegations.