Police in Thanh Hoa Province, north-central Vietnam broke up two football betting rackets whose transactions accumulated VND130 billion (US$5.4 million) and detained 19 suspects on Sunday.

Provincial criminal police officers smashed an online ring run by Nguyen Trong Tung, a 34-year-old man residing in Dong Huong Ward, Thanh Hoa City.

According to preliminary investigation results, Tung and six suspects, including Nguyen Van Dau, 28, and Nguyen Truong Thanh, 39, in Dong Huong Ward; Nguyen Van Cuong, 29, in Ba Dinh Ward; Le Bao Liem and Le Quoc Tung, 34, in Dong Hai Ward; and Le Van Phuc, 29, in Nam Ngan Ward, used the website www.agent.vi2233xx.com and opened many football betting accounts.

The suspects also opened many Master accounts and distributed them to bettors in Thanh Hoa with transactions totaling over VND130 billion.

Thanh Hoa police also busted another football betting ring and apprehended 12 suspects for allegedly gambling and organizing gambling.

The large and complicated ring was operated by Le Viet Vu, 38, a resident in Dai Mo Ward, Nam Tu Liem District, Hanoi.

Vu colluded with Hoang Ba Huynh, 26, in Bac Son Ward, Sam Son City, Thanh Hoa Province; Pham Van Luc, 27, in Dong Ve Ward, Thanh Hoa City; and Nguyen Van Cuong, 35, in Quang Tien Ward, Sam Son City to incite bettors to take part in the football betting ring, causing social disorder.

Pursuant to Article 322 of the 2015 Penal Code, those gambling or organizing gambling may be fined VND50,000 ($2.1) to VND300,000 ($12.6) each or be sentenced to 1-10 years behind bars.

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