Vietnamese Brothers Jailed Over £3,000 Facebook People-Smuggling Scam
Two Vietnamese men have been locked up for masterminding a £3,000 illegal immigration racket via Facebook. Hop Nguyen, 36, and Hoang Nguyen, 25, helped at least 250 people sneak into the UK using their dodgy online service.
Facebook Ads Lure Hundreds Into UK for £3k a Pop
The brothers, both illegal immigrants themselves since 2023, ran slick Facebook ads promising fast and “prestigious” crossings from France to the UK for under £3,000 each. Their online operation aimed to rake in nearly £750,000.
“Brothers, sisters who have family members or friends, want to go to UK, contact me! Fast, convenient, prestigious. Price only 3xxx,” one ad boldly declared.
Migrants contacted them through Zalo, a Vietnamese chat app, booking places on small boats making the risky Channel crossing.
Crackdown After NCA Sting Sees Brothers Jailed and Facing Deportation
Both men were arrested in April 2024 at different homes in Leicester and South London. They pleaded guilty by August and were sentenced at Croydon Crown Court – Hop behind bars for 12 years, Hoang locked up for 10 years and 6 months. Both now face deportation after their prison terms. Even when migrants were nabbed by authorities, the brothers organised for them to ditch safe houses and disappear into the Vietnamese community. Officers also found over £8,000 cash at Hoang’s home. Her partner, Thuan Sy Tran, 26, is now awaiting extradition to France.
