Tran Nhu Phuoc, Ngo Son Ha Arrested for Spreading Misinformation About Vietnam’s Ex-Police Chief
HO CHI MINH CITY — Two TikTok content creators have been arrested in Vietnam after allegedly spreading false information about Lieutenant General Lê Hồng Nam, the recently retired chief of police.
Tran Nhu Phuoc, 38, from Khánh Hòa Province, and Ngo Son Ha, 51, from Lâm Đồng Province, were detained on Wednesday by Ho Chi Minh City police. The pair face charges under Article 331 of the Penal Code for “abusing democratic freedoms to infringe upon the legitimate rights and interests of the state and individuals.”
According to police, the men created and posted misleading videos shortly after General Nam’s June 1 retirement, falsely suggesting internal government restructuring, personnel disputes, and even invented details related to sensitive political cases. These videos, which often used edited images and sensationalized headlines, quickly went viral on TikTok, drawing thousands of views and widespread public attention.
Authorities say the content not only distorted facts but also damaged the reputation of the police force and caused unrest among citizens. Both Phuoc and Ha have reportedly admitted to their actions during initial investigations.
This case is part of a broader crackdown on online misinformation in Vietnam. In a related incident, the owner of the YouTube channel “Người Đưa Tin” (The Herald) and two associates were recently arrested for spreading fake news about national political figures through over 6,700 videos, generating illicit earnings exceeding VNĐ10 billion (US$385,000).
Vietnamese police are urging social media users to comply with online conduct laws. “Online attacks, insults, or misinformation about individuals or organizations are illegal and will be prosecuted,” officials warned in a statement.
The arrests have renewed debate about the balance between free speech and digital responsibility, especially as political content continues to draw massive online engagement in the country.
