Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — An investigation into an alleged human trafficking and labor exploitation scheme involving Vietnamese nationals in American Samoa has resulted in criminal allegations against four defendants. 

The matter is scheduled for a Preliminary Examination hearing before the District Court today. 

The four defendants are identified in affidavits filed in District Court, however, Samoa News has only the court documents filed for Thi My Linh My Le and Lanh Huu Dang, the Vietnamese nationals, who are husband ad wife.

The other two defendants are identified as US nationals, with one working at the Immigration Office- Airport, and the other is an individual, who sponsored a Vietnamese national (one of the victims), after her husband — the original sponsor, passed away. 

Lanh Huu Dang (husband) is charged with:

Count 1 & 3: Conspiracy to Commit Human Trafficking, a class C felony punishable by a term of imprisonment not more than seven years, a fine of not more than $5,000, or both imprisonment and fine;

Count 2: Conspiracy to Commit Human Trafficking of a Minor, a class B felony punishable by a term of imprisonment not less than five years and not more than 15 years; and,

Count 4: Assault in the Third Degree, a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of not more than $1,000, or both.

Linh My Le (wife):
Count 1 & 5: Human Trafficking, a class B felony punishable by a term of imprisonment not less than five years and not more than 15 years;
Count 2 & 6: Conspiracy to Commit Human Trafficking of a Minor, a class B felony punishable by a term of imprisonment not less than five years and not more than 15 years;
Count 3: Human Trafficking of a Minor, a class A felony punishable by a term of imprisonment not less than ten years, and up to life imprisonment, or death; and,
Count 4: Conspiracy to Commit Human Trafficking of a Minor, a class B felony punishable by a term of imprisonment not less than five years and not more than 15 years.

Both defendants are held without bail. 

According to the court affidavits, the investigation began after potential human trafficking matters involving Vietnamese nationals were reported to the Office of the Attorney General in March 2025. 

Investigators subsequently conducted interviews, reviewed statements and examined immigration, travel, financial and police records as they attempted to determine how several Vietnamese nationals came to American Samoa and what happened to them after their arrival.

The investigation allegedly uncovered an alleged scheme in which Vietnamese nationals were promised opportunities to relocate to the United States, obtain lawful immigration status and receive employment or educational opportunities.
Investigators alleged that substantial sums of money were paid in Vietnam based on false promises — immigration to the US, jobs and school attendance.

The investigation identified Thi My Linh My Le (female) and Lanh Huu Dang (male) as husband and wife, and owners or co-owners of a local corporation that operates several businesses in American Samoa.

The affidavit stated that the corporation, incorporated on or about June 14 2023 Michael, Inc. and operates several businesses including a print shop, sewing shop, barber shop, spa, salon and restaurant.

Investigators allege that the defendants, with help from Linh’s brother in Vietnam and US nationals in American Samoa, became involved in receiving Vietnamese nationals after they arrived in American Samoa. 

VICTIMS

The affidavits list three Vietnamese victims, although the investigation reportedly found that a number of Vietnamese nationals were also staying at the same Vaitogi residence that two of the listed victims are said to have stayed.

One alleged victim reportedly told investigators that she and her mother arrived in American Samoa in October 2023 with two other Vietnamese nationals after being promised relocation to the United States.

The young woman was 17 years old at the time, according to the affidavit.

Prior to traveling, she and her mother allegedly paid a substantial amount of money to Linh’s brother after being promised that the young woman would have an opportunity to attend school and that her mother would be able to work. The affidavit notes that prior to their leaving, the young lady was told to learn how to perform manicure services.

Investigators report that the circumstances the mother and daughter encountered when arriving in American Samoa were significantly different from what had been promised. Upon arrival at the airport, the daughter said she received a text message from Linh directing their group of five Vietnamese travelers to take their passports to the girl at the airport — and not tell anyone. The message apparently included a photo  of the “girl”, who was later identified as the US national working at airport immigration.

The affidavit revealed that the travelers met up with the girl, who took all their passports. The daughter said while being helped with their luggage by Lane, she saw Linh arrive and walk to the Immigration area, and came out with what appeared to be their passports. From there they went to a Vietnamese restaurant in Malaeimi and then proceeded to the Vaitogi residence of the Vietnamese defendants, where she reportedly saw between fifteen and twenty Vietnamese nationals already living there.

At the residence, she stated that their travel documents were taken by Linh who told them that she had the right as “she is the owner", and has “the right to keep it."

The daughter told investigators that within days she realized they had been tricked because instead of attending school she was forced to work for Linh at her home. She was allegedly required to perform household chores, including serving the Vietnamese nationals living at the Vaitogi residence, as well as provide nail-care services at the house for Linh’s clients who visited the makeshift salon.

The minor reported that she performed those duties for approximately six months, during which she repeatedly asked about her travel documents, immigration status and school enrollment. Investigators allege that Linh refused to address those questions and told her instead that she owed money Linh for food and shelter.

When a salon was later opened, the young woman allegedly continued providing nail-care services to customers. She said she was not properly compensated for her nail services which eventually led to her stopping to work at the salon. She told investigators, since then, she has struggled to find ways to survive.

The mother was also interviewed, and told a similar story of learning they had been lied about their circumstances. She noted that she learned that other Vietnamese at the Vaitogi residence had been tricked also. She said however, she knew that her and her daughter had nothing to return to as they had lost their home and spent a lot of their money for relocation that turned out to be a scam.

After one week, the mother said she was taken to a fast-food restaurant in Utulei, while her daughter remained at the Vaitogi residence. When she asked about her daughter’s education, Linh apparently told her that the because they paid a lower relocation fee than others, the daughter had to work.

The mother also said that after she stopped working at the Utulei business, Linh threatened her with deportation on two occasions on or about May 22, 2024 and in January, 2025.

According to the affidavits, the investigators found that due to Linh’s attempts to deport the mother and daughter, which included reporting them as undocumented immigrants to the Immigration Office and the Governor’s office, she finally admitted them that she brought the victims to American Samoa.

FALSE PROMISES

The investigation also examined how the Vietnamese nationals were recruited before traveling to American Samoa.

According to the affidavit, a relative of one of the defendants living in Vietnam allegedly approached potential migrants with promises that they could travel to the United States and obtain green cards. 

Investigators allege that the Vietnamese nationals were led to believe that they would be relocating to the United States rather than American Samoa.

The affidavit stated that individuals paid amounts ranging from approximately 170 million Vietnamese dong to more than 300 million Vietnamese dong, depending on the circumstances of their relocation.

In one case, investigators alleged that a Vietnamese national paid approximately 370 million Vietnamese dong after being promised relocation to the United States, a green card and the ability to travel within the country.

The individual was instructed to learn auto repair before traveling because he had allegedly been promised employment at an auto shop. The individual later learned that he would actually be traveling to American Samoa.

Investigation also revealed that Linh allegedly assured him that she would take care of matters after he arrived and claimed she had connections with local agencies and government officials.

The individual allegedly traveled to American Samoa in August 2023 with other Vietnamese nationals who had also reportedly been promised relocation to the United States.

EMPLOYMENT AND IMMIGRATION CONCERNS

After arriving in American Samoa, the individual was taken to the Vaitogi residence. He was later required to sign a contract obligating him to pay an additional $4,500 for travel expenses.

Two days after signing the contract, he was reportedly required to work at a grocery store in Nu'uuli. Investigators later reviewed immigration documentation connected to his arrival and a local sponsor.

The investigation sought to determine the role played by the sponsor and other individuals in facilitating the victim's arrival. Authorities also looked into the handling of passports and immigration documents belonging to the Vietnamese nationals.

According to the affidavit, one group arriving in October 2023 allegedly encountered an immigration officer at Pago Pago International Airport who took possession of their passports after their electronic entry permits could not be verified.

The group was reportedly allowed to leave the airport with instructions to locate their sponsor and provide the required immigration documents.

Investigators alleged that the travelers did not return to the airport.

The passports were placed in a locked drawer at an immigration office but were later discovered to be missing.

Investigators also reviewed an airline manifest and compared it with information contained in the Border Management System.

According to the manifest, five Vietnamese nationals arrived in American Samoa from Vietnam on October 10, 2023, but none of them appeared in the Border Management System.

Investigators alleged that the immigration process was bypassed in connection with the handling of the passports, and that the same Immigration “girl" was identified and interviewed that had been identified by the mother and daughter as the Immigration Officer that originally took their passports when they arrive on island.

LINH INTERVIEW

The investigation later examined statements made by Linh concerning the Vietnamese nationals and their employment and immigration circumstances.

Investigators characterized several of her statements as inconsistent.

She denied bringing Vietnamese nationals to American Samoa other than people employed by her business. Investigators, however, alleged that she acknowledged assisting certain individuals, including providing financial support, receiving them at the airport, allowing them to stay at her residence and becoming involved in their employment.

Linh also acknowledged entering into an employment agreement with the 17-year-old victim (daughter) despite knowing that the young woman had only a short-term visitor's permit.

ALLEGED ASSAULT FOLLOWING SOCIAL MEDIA POST

The investigation also uncovered a separate incident involving one of the victims.

Police reports indicated that one of the victims was assaulted at Dang’s home in Nu'uuli on December 23, 2025.

Investigators alleged that Lanh (Linh’s husband) and an unidentified male entered the victim's room and assaulted him.

It was reported that the victim had made a Facebook post concerning his experience relocating to American Samoa. 

In the post, he allegedly described paying a significant amount of money in connection with his relocation and warned others in the Vietnamese community about his experience.

Investigators believe the social media post may have contributed to the alleged assault.

The victim reported that Lanh punched and scratched him while the unidentified male restrained him.

The victim allegedly managed to break free and fled the residence to contact police. The assault was separately investigated by the Department of Public Safety.

The investigation into the assault was considered relevant to the broader investigation because the alleged victim had publicly discussed his experience with the relocation arrangement.

INVESTIGATION CONTINUES THROUGH RECORDS AND INTERVIEWS

Investigators reportedly conducted multiple interviews with alleged victims and defendants during the investigation. The affidavit further describes alleged efforts to control the victims through financial obligations, employment arrangements and threats concerning immigration status.

The government stated that the defendants played varying roles in the circumstances surrounding the arrival, housing, employment and immigration status of the Vietnamese nationals.

The affidavits were filed in the District Court on August 28, 2026.

As with all criminal cases, the allegations outlined in court filings remain accusations at this stage, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

[Editor’s Note: An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation for use as evidence in court. It is not a court decision.]