An investigation conducted by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) recently resulted in a federal court in Florida shutting down hundreds of fraudulent COVID-19-related websites run by three Vietnam residents.

Thu Phan Dinh, Tran Khanh and Nguyen Duy Toan were accused by the U.S. Government of conducting a wire fraud scheme designed to profit from the COVID-19 pandemic through selling nonexistent safety products, a Dec. 28, 2021 ICE press release said.

“HSI works tirelessly to disrupt and dismantle criminal networks around the world who are exploiting the global pandemic for their own personal financial gain,” Special Agent in Charge John A. Condon of HSI Tampa said in the release. “This permanent injunction is the final step in ensuring these defendants can no longer take advantage of people.”

In a complaint filed in August 2020, the trio was accused of having run more than 300 websites that misrepresented selling products in the U.S. that grew scarce during the pandemic such as hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes, the release said. The complaint stated that thousands of victims in all 50 states paid for items marketed through the websites but received nothing.

The investigation was a collaborative effort between HSI and the Vietnam Ministry of Public Security, Department of Foreign Relations and Hanoi Police, the release said. The suspects were taken into custody in Vietnam on local charges.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Carolyn B. Tapie for the Middle District of Florida and Trial Attorney Kathryn A. Schmidt of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch represented the government in the case, the release said.