HCMC – Hanoi police, in collaboration with Interpol, have issued an international arrest warrant for Le Khac Ngo, also known as Mr. Hunter, in connection with a large-scale securities investment fraud case, local media reported.
Le Khac Ngo, 34, from Bac Tu Liem, Hanoi, is identified as an accomplice of Pho Duc Nam, known on social media as Mr. Pips. The charges include fraud, money laundering, possession of criminal assets, and failure to report a crime.
The investigation, which began in October 2024, has so far resulted in the indictment of 31 individuals and the seizure of assets valued at VND5.2 trillion.
According to investigators, in 2021, Nam and Ngo conspired with a Turkish national operating out of Cambodia. They directed seven individuals in Vietnam to establish shell companies with offices in HCMC, Hanoi, and other provinces.
The group created five English-language websites designed to appear as legitimate international trading platforms. These sites were linked to their bank accounts, enabling them to deceive participants and gain their trust.
Initially, customers were encouraged to make small trades, which showed profits and allowed withdrawals to build confidence. As trust grew, they persuaded customers to increase their investments.
When customers began to incur losses or deplete their accounts, they were pressured to transfer additional funds under the pretense of recovering losses. Once customers were financially drained, the group severed contact and took the money.
On October 25, Hanoi police, working with the Ministry of Public Security, arrested dozens of individuals involved in the scheme.
To date, investigators have identified 2,661 victims nationwide and seized significant assets, including VND316 billion in bank accounts, VND9 billion in bonds, VND200 billion in savings, VND69 billion in cash, 890 SJC gold bars, 246 kilograms of solid gold, 31 luxury cars, seven high-end motorcycles, 84 pieces of gold jewelry with diamond inlays, and 125 frozen real estate properties.
