Following months of an expanded investigation, the Investigative Police Bureau of central Thanh Hoa Province has indicted a total of 31 suspects and seized 1,239 diamonds. Authorities have uncovered a sophisticated ring that smuggled over 30,000 diamonds valued at more than VND1.5 trillion (approx. $57 million), netting over VND300 billion ($11.42 million) in illicit profits.
On July 12, Thanh Hoa Police moved to indict four additional suspects, including prominent gold shop owners in Ho Chi Minh City and a jewelry appraiser. These arrests are part of an ongoing effort to dismantle the transnational syndicate and apprehend remaining fugitives.
According to the Economic Police Division of the Thanh Hoa Provincial Police, the ring operated as a "closed-loop" system, masterminded and remotely commanded by an Indian national residing in Hong Kong (China).
To maintain secrecy, the group utilized encrypted social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Viber, using "auto-delete" message settings to communicate. Through these channels, they coordinated with suppliers to purchase diamonds from India and organized illegal transport into Vietnam.
Exploiting the small size of the gemstones, the smugglers hid them within personal luggage, shoes, and clothing. These items were brought through major international airports—including Tan Son Nhat, Da Nang, Noi Bai, and Phu Quoc—without making customs declarations as required.
Once the goods successfully entered the country, the syndicate hired Indian nationals to travel to Vietnam. These individuals would visit gold and jewelry shops to offer the smuggled diamonds at prices one-third lower than the market rate, targeting small business households and newly established companies.
When a customer agreed to a purchase, the group set up private WhatsApp chats to provide quotes, place orders, and coordinate delivery. Upon arrival in Vietnam, the diamonds were sorted per customer and distributed through multiple independent intermediaries to mask the delivery chain.
Most notably, the syndicate employed a unique payment method to evade detection: using the "serial numbers on USD bills" as a secret code for transactions. This tactic was designed to erase the money trail and bypass authorities. The entire process operated as a one-way, decentralized system, posing significant challenges for investigators.
Thanh Hoa Provincial Police are currently expanding their investigation, urgently tracking down related suspects to ensure strict prosecution under the law and to recover all smuggled assets.
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