17-05-2025
Man arrested for alleged online sexual coercion of minors in Vietnam
Nguyen Duy Quang getting questioned by a policeman. - Photo: VNA/VNS
LAM DONG, (Vietnam): Police in the southern province of Lam Dong have arrested a man for allegedly coercing underage girls into performing sexual acts on video call platforms, authorities said on Friday (May 16).
Nguyen Duy Quang, 26, was charged with 'abusing a person under 16 years old for pornographic purposes' under Vietnam's Penal Code, following a formal decision to initiate criminal proceedings and place him in temporary detention.
The investigation began in early May after the police received a complaint from a woman who discovered that her 14-year-old daughter had been threatened and forced into explicit acts by a Facebook user named 'Nguyen Minh Hieu.'
The acts were reportedly carried out over video call platforms, including BigoLive and Messenger.
Several days later, the police say they caught Quang red-handed using the Facebook account to commit online sexual coercion. Officers seized all electronic devices belonging to the suspect.
Quang confessed to creating multiple Facebook accounts under names such as 'Quang Nguyen' and 'Nguyen Minh Hieu.' He used these accounts to connect with students in Lam Dong Province.
The police said he posed as a clothing store owner in downtown Dalat and claimed to be financially well-off, offering iPhones or outings in exchange for sensitive photos and videos from the students.
After receiving the materials, Quang allegedly pressured the victims into joining group video calls and performing further acts in Messenger groups he created.
If they refused, he threatened to send the images and videos to their families and friends or post them online.
He profitted by collecting mobile phone top-up cards from group members who paid to view the content.
At least four victims — all students in lower or upper secondary school — have been identified so far.
The police are initiating criminal proceedings against Quang.
Authorities urge parents to be vigilant in supervising and protecting children online and to report any suspicious activity to law enforcement. - Vietnam News/ANN
