The group collected pools from gamblers in Vietnam and transferred the bets to betting firms abroad to earn a discount.

At weekends when European football matches play, the men averagely received pools around VND100 million (US$6,250) a night. All payments were made via banking system.

Three men seen as organizers of the ring include leader Nguyen Van Phu, 34, and two assistants Nguyen Bao Khanh, 35, and Pham Quoc Hung, 35.

Two other offenders are identified as Doan Tien Giang, 40, and Pham Dinh Phong, 27.

The ring began its illegal affairs early this year, police said.

In related news, police in Ho Chi Minh City busted a major Internet football betting ring Sunday, arresting 14 bookmakers and seizing money worth over VND7 billion (US$437,500).

The 14 offenders confessed they were bookies working for a major gang with close connections with betting firms abroad.

Reported by Viet Chien – Translated by Minh Phat