KUBET Drop Network Uncovered in Vietnam Using AI to Launder $39M

Police in Thai Binh Province have charged 21 individuals for participating in the drop network of operator “KUBET,” which served over 1 million users with a total betting volume of $39.2 million.

How the KUBET Scheme Worked

The KUBET website, hosted on foreign servers, offered various forms of gambling — from lotteries to football betting. Users accessed it via mobile devices, created accounts, linked bank accounts, and participated in games.

Platform operators actively recruited citizens to open proxy bank accounts. These accounts were used to transfer and withdraw funds obtained from gambling.

Use of AI and Deepfakes

To bypass biometric authentication for transactions exceeding 10 million dong (around $392), the criminals used deepfake videos. With AI, they created recordings simulating the faces of account holders, enabling them to pass verification checks without their involvement.

Operators from Taiwan controlled devices with installed banking apps, allowing them to manage funds remotely.

Transaction Volumes and Damage

Charges and Investigation

Police in Thai Binh Province charged 21 members of the network. This is the first case in Vietnam where artificial intelligence was used in a large-scale criminal money laundering scheme through gambling.

Key Features of the Scheme

• Use of AI and Deepfakes — to bypass biometric checks.
• Large-scale Network — over 1 million users and hundreds of bank accounts.
• International Coordination — ties between operators in Taiwan and recruiters in Vietnam.

Conclusion

The KUBET case has set a precedent for Vietnamese law enforcement. The use of artificial intelligence in criminal schemes calls for new investigative methods and tighter control over financial transactions.