[jackbl]

Young model, actress caught selling sex for $1,500
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Model-cum-actress Hong Ha was caught in the act in a hotel in Hanoi’s Ba Dinh District as officers from the Ministry of Public Security bust a large-scale sex ring on May 24.

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, Ba Dinh district, Hanoi and discovered two couples having sex 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 was believed to be paid US$1,000-1500 for that night.

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

According to initial information, the sex 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 and would wander around cafés, famous discotheques to solicit customers.

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

The procurer 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 sex 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, 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. Elite has never worked with Hong Ha or invited her to any fashion show,” Hanh confirmed.

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