Police in Thai Binh Province, northern Vietnam are ramping up efforts to crack down on a huge online gambling ring worth over VND2.6 trillion (US$11 million) on the messaging app Telegram, with the participation of more than 3,800 gamblers across the country.

Investigators of Thai Binh City in the namesake province have pressed charges against 15 individuals from 11 provinces and cities for gambling and hosting gambling activities, a local police official told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Wednesday.

The identity of the suspects has yet to be disclosed as police are expanding the probe into this online betting ring.

The cybersecurity and anti-cybercrime division under the Thai Binh Department of Public Security earlier discovered a number of local residents joining an online betting ring.

The ring was masterminded by Pham Thi My H., who managed a 'Gia Toc Sau' Telegram group to organize online betting for more than 3,800 gamblers.

To be eligible to join the group, potential gamblers were told to create Telegram accounts using invitation codes sent by H.’s Telegram account, 'Sau Toc Truong.'

Police officers summoned 22 individuals from various provinces and cities nationwide, such as Thai Binh, Ho Chi Minh City, Hung Yen, Quang Binh, Dak Nong, and others.

Police also raided the houses of H., Nguyen Thu H. in Hanoi, and Do Thi Truc L. in the southern province of Ben Tre, confiscating VND414 million ($17,688), 8.6 taels of gold, six passbooks worth VND3.5 billion ($149,422), along with other exhibits.

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