HCMC man jailed for running prostitution ring employing models, beauty pageant contestants

Huynh Thanh Thuan, 34, was sentenced to four years in jail by the HCMC People’s Court on Monday for procuring sex services.

Two other people involved in the case, Pham Do Nhat Duy and Le Thi Thu Thao, both 38, were also imprisoned for the same charge.

During the trial, Thuan said that on Oct. 22 last year, he went out to have a meal with three men in Thu Duc City’s Sala urban area. The men knew that Thuan was acquainted with several models, beauty pageant insiders, and other influencers. At the meeting they asked Thuan to recommend three people in these fields that could provide prostitution services on Oct. 23 and 24.

Thuan accepted the request and sent photos of certain women to the men via Zalo. He then contacted two women for the prostitution deal directly, and contacted another via his connection with Duy and Thao.

Thuan agreed to offer the prostitution service for VND30-50 million a day. The plan was for Thuan to receive the money from the men, and give the women VND20-30 million for each day of service. He and his accomplices would keep the rest.

The “sex tour” took place at a resort in Ho Tram, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province that borders HCMC. Police officers caught the men and women in the act on Oct. 24. As the procurement happened in HCMC, the case was handled by the HCMC police.

During the police investigation, Thuan admitted to having procured prostitution services between beauty pageant contestants and a customer in Singapore for $3,000 a day. He also confessed to his involvement in several other similar cases.

Authorities said Thuan had profited VND100 million from his procurement deals, while Thuan said he had only gained VND52 million.