Having been in operation since 2016, illegal Xoi Lac TV has been taken down by law enforcement in Vietnam after a year-long investigation. The service was a network of Web sites that illegally broadcast international sporting events. Unlike legitimate services, the Xio Lac TV services were available over mobile smartphones and laptop computers, which drove further demand.
Commentators who provided engaging voice-overs on top of pirated programming worked in rooms that were outfitted as professional studios. They were supported by a technical team comprised of technology professionals who had university degrees.
According to local reporting (sources below), Colonel Nguyen Huy Luc – Head of Department 5, Department of Cyber Security and High-Tech Crime Prevention said: “With links abroad, we have a solution to neutralize operations. The methods and tricks of this criminal group are very sophisticated, changing locations and server systems continuously, leading to the tracing of the ringleader, which requires time…”
Authorities described an ecosystem of Web sites including ad-insertions and links to football betting platforms, which was said to be the primary source of revenue. About 300 billion VND (equivalent to US$11.4 million) in cryptocurrency, digital assets and equipment were seized.
As of the first week of March, police said that they had prosecuted more than 20 of the 30 individuals involved, including administrators and operators, including two Hanoi individuals who were identified as the “masterminds.” Several commentators on the platform have also been detained. The Police Investigation Agency of northern Hung Yen province launched criminal proceedings.
Financial networks associated with the illegal services were still under investigation as of early March.
Why it matters
Xoi Lac TV was s sophistecated multi-faceted service that reached audiences via the Internet, which is a distribution channel that legitimate providers chose not to use. Another case where piracy demand was driven by scarcity.
Further reading
From Xôi Lạc TV illegal broadcast to a network earning hundreds of billions of dong illegally. Article. March 8, 2026. by Minh Phong. Law Dong Agency of Vietnam General Conferation of Labour.
30 individuals prosecuted in Xoi Lac TV piracy and online gambling ring. Article. March 5, 2026. Voice of Vietnam
