Cross-border human trafficking ring involving minor dismantled in Lao Cai
VOV.VN - Border guards in northern Vietnam have dismantled a cross-border human trafficking ring involving a minor, arresting two suspects and rescuing a 16-year-old girl who has since been reunited with her family.
According to the Lao Cai Border Guard Command, the operation was carried out following coordinated efforts and extensive investigation into suspected trafficking activities. Authorities identified the victim, a 16-year-old girl from northern Son La province, who had been lured via social media and sold to a Chinese man for 200,000 yuan (roughly US$30,000).
Through victim testimony and further screening, investigators identified two suspects, Cu Thi Cha (born in 2000) and Trang Seo Hong (born in 1997), both residing in Lao Cai province, as those responsible for transporting the victim across the border.
Given the organised nature of the case and the involvement of a minor, the Lao Cai Border Guard Command approved a formal investigation. Despite attempts by the suspects to evade detection by frequently changing locations and concealing their identities, authorities successfully tracked them down.
On April 2, officers raided their hideout and arrested both suspects. At the time of arrest, the pair were still using social media platforms to lure and recruit additional victims, primarily women, with promises of marriage and a better life in China.
Investigations revealed that since March 2025, the suspects had used TikTok to approach potential victims, initiating conversations and exploiting emotional vulnerabilities. Once trust was established, they painted an attractive picture of life abroad to persuade victims to leave their homes.
In this case, the victim was instructed to keep the plan secret, leave without personal belongings, and meet at a pre-arranged location. She was then transported from Son La to Lao Cai and handed over to traffickers, including a Chinese man and an unidentified Vietnamese accomplice. The suspects received an initial payment of 10,000 yuan, with the remaining sum to be transferred upon completion of the transaction.
Based on collected evidence, on April 7 the Lao Cai Border Guard Station launched criminal proceedings for trafficking persons under 16, and the investigation is ongoing.
Vietnam calls for tighter global efforts against human trafficking
Vietnam considers the fight against human trafficking a top priority, Minister-Counsellor and Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of Vietnam’s Permanent Mission to the UN Nguyen Hoang Nguyen told the United Nations (UN) General Assembly’s high-level session in New York on November 24-26.
