A mobile gambling ring operating deep within forested areas of Que Phong district has been dismantled by the Criminal Police Department of Nghe An Province, according to details reported by Báo Nghệ An.
Authorities revealed that the group specialized in dice-shaking sessions organised in remote acacia hill terrain, far from residential zones and difficult for law enforcement to access. The ring's members regularly changed phone numbers, vehicles and locations, allowing them to evade detection for months.
What made the case more concerning, police said, was the number of repeat offenders involved. Among those arrested were individuals with multiple criminal records for gambling and illegal drug trafficking, including suspects identified as Tran Thi Chau (three convictions for gambling and illegal drug trafficking), Luong Ba Hieu (two gambling convictions), Vo Thi Lieu (two gambling convictions) and Ho Quang Vu (one conviction for illegal drug trafficking). Others also had previous gambling records.
Officers stated that each session lasted only between 1.5 and 2 hours, minimizing exposure and increasing mobility. Despite the short duration, the gambling events attracted dozens of players from different localities, causing disruption to public order and resentment in surrounding communities.
Following surveillance and intelligence gathering, police conducted a coordinated raid on 23 November at an acacia hill site in Dong Moi village, Thong Thu commune. Several suspects were caught gambling at the scene while others fled into the forest.
A total of 14 suspects had been detained. Police also seized more than VND65m (US$2,700) in cash, mobile phones and other related materials.
Authorities said targeted operations against mobile gambling networks will continue, with the goal of safeguarding rural security and addressing criminal activity hidden in remote terrain.
Police seized more than VND65m (US$2,700), mobile phones and other items after a coordinated arrest
