Police have busted a large-scale prostitution ring with models, singers, hot TikTokers offering sexual services to customers for US$2,500-6,000 in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, southern Vietnam, the Ministry of Public Security said on Friday.

This network is led by Huynh Thanh Thuan, a 33-year-old stylist hailing from the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang.

On October 24, employing professional tactics, criminal police officers under the Ministry of Public Security, in collaboration with their subordinates in the Ba Ria-Vung Tau Department of Public Security, apprehended three couples engaging in the act of purchasing and selling sex service, including V.T.T.T., a model and popular TikToker, H.P.T.H., a model and well-known figure on Facebook, and L.H.P., a prominent beauty queen.

At the same time, they made efforts to thwart a couple’s attempt to depart for Singapore for the purpose of engaging in sex tourism.

The sex worker in question was identified as T.T.L., a singer.

Based on the documents and evidence at hand, the investigation agency of the Ministry of Public Security carried out summonses and conducted urgent searches at the residences of three individuals involved in prostitution brokerage in the case. 

These suspects included Huynh Thanh Thuan, Pham Do Nhat Duy, a 38-year-old resident of District 7, Ho Chi Minh City, who works as a freelancer, and Le Thi Thu Thao, also 38 years old and residing in Kien Giang, earning a living as a freelancer.

Three masterminds behind a prostitution ring are summoned to a police station in southern Vietnam. Photo: Ministry of Public Security

During their interrogation at the investigation agency, all three suspects admitted to their involvement in prostitution brokerage activities starting from early 2023.

Thuan, Thao, and Duy engaged in the facilitation of numerous sex workers, amassing illicit profits amounting to hundreds of millions of Vietnamese dong.

On October 24, when some individuals sought the services of young, attractive, and showbiz-involved sex workers, Thuan introduced T.T.L., L.H.P., and H.P.T.H., all of whom are model, beauty queen, and singer with significant popularility in mass media and large followings on social networks.

In this case, the rates for sexual services ranged between VND60-100 million ($2,445-4,075) for two-day domestic tours and $6,000 for two-day international tours.

On October 30, the investigation agency of the Ministry of Public Security inititated legal proceedings against Thuan, Duy, and Thao. 

These decisions and orders received approval from the Supreme People’s Procuracy.

Currently, the case is undergoing further investigation, and all relevant parties will be handled in accordance with the provisions of the law.

The Criminal Police Department under the Ministry of Public Security has recently unveiled a crackdown on sophisticated prostitution brokerage within showbiz, involving beauty pageant contestants, supermodels, actors, and singers. 

Brokers often have close ties to the showbiz industry, including show managers, makeup artists, and personal stylists.

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