KPL
A specialized task force from the Ministry of Public Security raided a rental property in Vientiane Capital on Thursday, arresting 27 foreign nationals and seizing hundreds of mobile phones used in an illegal online scam operation.
The raid targeted a rental complex in Changkhou Village, Xaythany District, where authorities uncovered an illicit syndicate running online gambling and cyber-fraud schemes.
Law enforcement officers apprehended 26 Chinese nationals and one Thai national during the operation. Police also confiscated a massive arsenal of digital equipment used to run automated messaging scams, including: 805 smartphones, 32 desktop computers,3 laptops.
Authorities said the bust took an immediate turn following the raid when a 31-year-old local interpreter, identified as Ms. Phouvieng, attempted to contact operational officers to negotiate an unauthorized bribe to secure the suspects' release. Officers immediately taken her into custody for questioning.
The crackdown aligns with Laos' national agenda to dismantle cross-border cyber-scam networks and enforce stricter cybercrime legislation passed by the National Assembly. Ministry officials said the investigation remains ongoing to identify local facilitators and ringleaders behind the operation.
KPL
