A Vietnamese court began proceedings on June 29th against 30 individuals accused of operating a loan sharking scheme facilitated through mobile applications. The group includes two Ukrainian nationals, Tymur Bugaievskyi and Kravchuk Iryna, alleged to be the masterminds behind the operation. The defendants are charged with usury, specifically lending money at illegally high interest rates in civil transactions. The scheme reportedly utilized apps to distribute loans and collect repayments. This case highlights the growing issue of foreign-operated illegal financial activities targeting Vietnamese citizens. The trial in Ho Chi Minh City is expected to reveal further details about the scale and methods of the operation. Authorities are focusing on dismantling such networks and protecting vulnerable borrowers.