Hanoi Police Arrest MLM Scam Group Linked to Sky Media Involving Overpriced Redmi Phones with Ad-Viewing Software

Hanoi police have uncovered an alleged multi-level marketing (MLM) fraud scheme run by Sky Media Joint Stock Company, accusing the company of persuading residents to buy high-priced Redmi-brand phones in order to seize assets.

How the alleged scheme worked

According to investigators from the Hanoi Police Department of Internal Political Security, working with the Hanoi Police Investigation Agency for Internal Political Security and information security units, Sky Media operated MLM fraud without a license.

The phones involved were Redmi-brand devices equipped with software that disguised itself as an online advertising viewing application. From June 2025, the suspects allegedly created an application named “Sky Media” to be installed on victims’ phones.

Promises used to attract victims

To build trust and encourage purchases at prices described by investigators as far above the phones’ real value, the perpetrators allegedly promised participants would receive:

• 50,000 VND per day for watching advertisements
• 10% commission for referrals
• 3%–25% commission on the earnings of referred participants who watched advertisements

Investigators also said the suspects held multiple seminars at the company’s offices and at venues including restaurants, hotels, and meeting points across Hanoi districts such as Dan Phuong (old), Son Tay (old), and My Duc (old), as well as in nearby provinces including Thanh Hoa, Bac Giang (old), Thai Nguyen, Nam Dinh (old), and Dong Nai.

Police further alleged that the perpetrators misrepresented the company as having advertising contracts with large producers to make the scheme appear legitimate.

What police say the money came from

Investigators stated that the figures used to market the scheme were fictitious. They said monthly income was allegedly generated from the price differences when victims bought the phones and from money contributed by referred participants.

Arrests and ongoing investigation

On April 1, 2026, the Internal Political Security Department coordinated with the Hanoi Police’s Investigation Agency and other units to arrest seven core suspects for fraud and asset misappropriation:

• Lưu Văn Tiến (born 1979), resident of Hà Đông, Hà Nội
• Nguyễn Trung Tín (born 1999), resident of Lạc Thủy, Phú Thọ
• An Minh Sơn (born 1985), resident of Lạc Thủy, Phú Thọ
• Phạm Xuân Phương (born 1979), resident of Khương Đình, Hà Nội
• Vũ Thị Thanh Thủy (born 1989), resident of Dương Nội, Hà Nội
• Phạm Thị Tuyết Hồng (born 1983), resident of Hà Đông, Hà Nội
• Lương Thị Mai (born 1988), resident of Bình Minh, Hà Nội

The Hanoi Police Investigation Agency said it is continuing to expand the investigation and prosecute individuals according to the law.

Police request to victims

Hanoi police urged any individuals who participated in purchasing from these suspects to report to the Hanoi Police’s Investigation Agency so the case can be handled in accordance with regulations.