Vietnam police bust major football betting ring ahead of World Cup 2026

Vietnamese police have dismantled a major football betting ring in Da Nang as part of intensified efforts against gambling ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The operation, led by the Da Nang City Police's Criminal Police Department, successfully cracked down on a large-scale organization involved in football betting and number lotteries.

According to police reports, the ring was organized by Lê Trung Hải, 40, and Nguyễn Quang Hiếu, 35, both residents of Hòa Vang commune, along with other accomplices. They allegedly enticed numerous individuals to participate in gambling activities across various districts and wards in Da Nang.

Following a period of intensive investigation and the application of professional techniques, the task force mobilized 50 officers. These officers were divided into eight teams that simultaneously executed the operation, leading to the arrest of seven key individuals. Those detained include Lê Trung Hải, Nguyễn Quang Hiếu, Nguyễn Đinh Đăng Nguyên, 41, Nguyễn Phước Nguyên, 56, Nguyễn Thị Châu, 41, Vũ Bảo, and 51-year-old Nguyễn Thị Nở.

Authorities seized substantial evidence, including 12 mobile phones, over 150 pages of documents detailing football betting and lottery records, and related transaction materials. Additionally, approximately 231.8 million VND (around $9,700 USD) in cash was confiscated to aid the ongoing investigation.

Initial findings indicate that from January 2026 to the present, the group utilized platforms like Zalo, Messenger, and phone messages to receive and transfer betting slips for football matches and lotteries. The total transaction value is estimated to be around 20 billion VND (approximately $800,000 USD), with illicit profits amounting to billions of VND. The Criminal Police Department is continuing its investigation to apprehend any other involved parties and ensure strict legal action.