Brian Jeffrey
During a recent press conference by the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thang Long from the Ho Chi Minh City Police Department addressed the rampant use of online platforms by criminals for illegal gambling.
He outlined how perpetrators set up various websites and social media accounts to promote gambling activities. They entice users with activities like football betting, “tai xiu,” “xoc dia,” in addition to modern options such as fish shooting games, jackpot games, and eSports betting.
Lieutenant Colonel Long pointed out that many of these gambling sites are hosted overseas, managed by foreign individuals who often partner with locals to establish a hierarchical system for illegal gambling operations, especially prevalent in Ho Chi Minh City.
Furthermore, he indicated that innovative gambling models disguised as mobile games have recently emerged, urging smartphone users to be cautious of such applications.
The police representative also stressed that efforts to reduce disruptive illegal advertisement calls are being intensified, although the issue of unauthorized SIM cards remains problematic.
Specifically, offenders often acquire a large quantity of SIM cards, pretending they are registered under legitimate businesses, which lets them secure numerous phone numbers from network providers for resale.
They take advantage of the weak surveillance at retail and telecom outlets, registering fake mobile numbers using forged documents or stolen personal information. These numbers are then used to disseminate illegal materials through fake base stations, virtual switchboards, and targeted ads on platforms like Facebook and Google.
To address this growing concern, Ho Chi Minh City Police are actively implementing various strategies to tackle online gambling operations. They are focusing on preventive measures, fostering the “All People Protect National Security” movement in cyberspace, and enhancing public awareness of cybersecurity issues.
Ho Van
