TLDR Hanoi police raided digital marketing firm Super Thi Seo Media Services and arrested CEO Pham Ngoc Manh for promoting illegal gambling sites The network allegedly earned VND3.7bn (£105,830) promoting illegal gambling sites in 2026 Police seized VND7bn (£199,714) in cash and assets, plus VND3bn in savings, 29 computers, and 41 phones Cryptocurrency was central to the operation — Manh allegedly used 41 electronic wallets to receive payments The approach mirrors wider regional trends, with Japan also arresting affiliates and payment processors linked to illegal online gambling
Vietnam is going after the businesses that help illegal gambling sites find customers, not just the sites themselves. A recent raid in Hanoi shows how authorities are shifting their focus up the supply chain.
Police raided the offices of Super Thi Seo Media Services, a digital marketing company, and arrested its CEO, Pham Ngoc Manh. Authorities say the firm was driving traffic to illegal gambling websites.
According to local outlet VietnamNet, the network generated around VND3.7bn — roughly £105,830 — from promoting illegal sites since the start of 2026.
During the raid, police seized about VND7bn (£199,714) in cash and converted assets. They also found a savings account holding VND3bn (£85,736), along with 29 computers and 41 mobile phones.
Crypto at the Centre of the Operation
Cryptocurrency played a key role in how payments were handled. Manh is accused of using 41 electronic wallets to receive funds from the illegal websites he promoted.
This is a direct link between the marketing business and the money flowing through the suspected network. It puts crypto payment channels under the same scrutiny as the gambling sites themselves.
By targeting the payment layer, Vietnamese authorities are making it harder for illegal operators to use middlemen to stay hidden.
A Wider Shift in How Authorities