Hanoi SEO Firm Raided for Promoting Illegal Gambling

Hanoi authorities have launched a prison investigation into a neighborhood website positioning firm accused of helping unlicensed playing web sites. On June 2, police introduced that Pham Ngoc Manh, the CEO of Tremendous Thi Web optimization Media Providers Co., Ltd., together with 17 managers and staff, had been detained for allegedly offering unlawful data by way of on-line networks.

Entrance for Unlicensed Playing

Though the company offered itself as a reliable digital advertising and marketing and search engine marketing agency, investigators allege that its major exercise was selling unlawful playing platforms. Tremendous Thi Web optimization operated with a structured group, together with separate departments for advertising and marketing, search optimization, IT, customer support, and backlinking, all of which reportedly contributed to boosting the visibility of unlicensed playing web sites.

Based on Vietnamnet, Pham Ngoc Manh is accused of managing 41 digital wallets to obtain funds in USDT cryptocurrency. Worker salaries had been largely paid in money, a way authorities say was meant to obscure monetary transactions and complicate enforcement efforts.

Throughout searches of areas linked to the corporate, police seized greater than VND7 billion (roughly US$268,000) in money, belongings transformed from cryptocurrency, a VND3 billion (US$115,000) financial savings account, 29 computer systems, and 41 cellphones. Investigators estimate that from the start of 2026 till the uncovering of the investigation, the company generated roughly VND3.7 billion (US$142,000) by selling 22 Vietnamese-language playing web sites that lacked correct licensing.

Authorities have additionally imposed journey restrictions on 15 further people related to the case whereas the investigation continues. Police categorized the offence as “illegally offering data by way of pc and telecommunications networks,” linking it particularly to the corporate’s website positioning and traffic-generation providers directed at prohibited playing websites.

Broader Context

This crackdown aligns with wider efforts throughout the area to curb unlawful on-line playing. Related enforcement actions have been reported in Indonesia, the place authorities uncovered a community involving 320 overseas nationals working illicit on-line playing operations. The Hanoi case underscores the rising use of digital advertising and marketing corporations by unlicensed operators to succeed in gamers, and the authorities’ response alerts a concentrate on disrupting these assist buildings.

Vietnam has just lately begun permitting native entry to casinos, with the Grand Ho Tram opening in January, reflecting a gradual regulatory shift within the nation’s gaming market. The present investigation into Tremendous Thi Web optimization highlights that, regardless of these regulatory modifications, selling unlicensed playing platforms stays a severe prison offense, carrying potential penalties and prolonged enforcement scrutiny.