A pair of Vietnamese citizens who promoted illicit maritime voyages to the United Kingdom via Facebook have received prison sentences after a collaborative inquiry by British and French authorities, as stated by the National Crime Agency.
In April 2024, Hoang My Tra Nguyen, 25, from Croydon, and Hop Cahn Nguyen, 36, residing in Leicester, were apprehended subsequent to a five-month inquiry into syndicated unlawful migration activities. Both individuals had previously reached the UK by means of small vessels in 2023. These two individuals, in conjunction with a third alleged accomplice awaiting transfer to France, utilized Facebook profiles to advertise journeys from France into the UK, specifically aiming at Vietnamese citizens.
Their online content featured video clips of the voyages and communiques promising “affordable” passage into Europe, alongside British contact details for trip organization. Detectives determined that the duo aided in orchestrating these passages and streamlined further travel inside the United Kingdom, which encompassed helping newcomers evade capture after their initial administrative checks.
Among the proof collected by law enforcement personnel were cell phones, SIM cards, and record books outlining paths, expenditures, and participants. On a particular occasion, Hop Cahn Nguyen was intercepted at Euston station accompanied by individuals who had just completed a Channel crossing.
In August 2024, both accused admitted culpability for aiding illegal immigration at Croydon Crown Court. Hop Cahn Nguyen received a 12-year incarceration period, whereas Hoang My Tra Nguyen was given a term of 10 and a half years.
The NCA declared that this undertaking was integral to broader endeavors to dismantle structured illegal migration rings, which involved collaborating with social media platforms to delete material encouraging illicit journeys.