Model, actress caught selling "S" for $1,500

Model and actress Hong Ha was caught in the act in a hotel in Hanoi’s Ba Dinh District as police from the Ministry of Public Security bust a large-scale ring yesterday (Thursday).

At 5.30pm, officers from the Police Department of Criminal Investigation in Social Order (C45) and Hanoi police suddenly inspected a hotel on Son Tay Street, Hanoi’s Ba Dinh district and discovered two couples engaging in  activities in two hotel rooms. 

At the same time, Ho Chi Minh City police also found another couple at M&M hotel in the southern city.

Among those detained is model and actress Hong Ha hailing from Thai Binh province, who is believed to be paid US$1,000-1500 for that. 

Hong Ha has been modeling for some foreign and national magazines and fashion brands and starred in several movies.

According to initial information, the "S" ring, which boasts 20 high-level prostitutes, was founded in 2009 by 26-year old Do Trung Kien.

Kien tried to get to know models and actresses at model agencies like Elite and Venus and would wander around cafés, famous discotheques to solicit customers and in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

He would approach rich businessmen and provide them with the girls - who are students, models, actresses and contestants in some beauty pageants.

A prostitute caught from the bust in Hanoi hotel last Thursday

Kien would give them his number and pass code. When they feel in need, the men can contact Kien for price quotation, time and location. The prostitution mostly takes place in expensive hotels in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City or are organized under a form of vacation. 

The prices range from VND4-6 million ($200-300) a time, US$400-600 a night or US$1,000-1,500 for a holiday trip. 

The C45 police said this is a large-scale "S: ring involving many individuals in different locations, operating for a long time and earning a large amount of money.

At the police station, Hong Ha said she is working for a model agency Elite. However on the same day, Thuy Hanh, the company’s representative denied that Hong Ha belongs to the company. 

“We do not know who Hong Ha is. She needs to show a contract, tax code to prove she is our model. Elite has never worked with Hong Ha or invited her to any fashion show,” confirmed Hanh.

She added that the company may sue the model for giving false information which may affect their brand.