During an early 2026 corporate event filled with lively mascots and fireworks, the HTV Network CEO, Ngo Anh Tan, proudly displayed a Vietnamese sign reading “Doanh Thu Đột Phá,” meaning “Record Revenue.” The CEO had cause for celebration as the company had grown to over 100 employees since its establishment as an international media enterprise focused on authoritative journalism nearly two years prior.
However, an investigation by CBC’s visual investigations unit and Radio-Canada’s Décrypteurs uncovered a stark contrast between HTV’s proclaimed mission and its actual operations. The investigation revealed that Ngo and his team were clandestinely operating an AI-driven content empire from Hanoi, Vietnam. This empire spread fake news and sensationalized stories across global social media platforms, targeting users with misleading content ranging from Elon Musk’s alleged ban on Teslas in Canada to exploitative posts related to the Tumbler Ridge shooting.
The team uncovered almost 200 Facebook pages with over 55 million followers collectively, sharing links to around 50 HTV-affiliated websites that generated revenue through ad placements alongside inflammatory or deceptive political and religious content.
Communication expert Fenwick McKelvey from Concordia University described the operations as “totally deceptive” and highlighted the extensive scope of their activities. The company’s name, HTV Network, mirrored that of a legitimate Vietnamese state-owned broadcaster, complicating efforts to track its illicit activities.
The company’s modus operandi involved mass-producing AI-generated content, such as false reports like the “U.S. losing its main city to a Russian attack,” which would be shared on Facebook pages owned by HTV, leading users to websites filled with ads for various products and services. Some Facebook pages associated with HTV were also found to be monetized.
Despite evidence linking Ngo to HTV operations, he repeatedly denied any knowledge of the sites or pages when confronted. Following inquiries by CBC/Radio-Canada, the HTV website was suddenly taken down, and Ngo’s online presence became more discreet.
Aengus Bridgman from the Media Ecosystem Observatory criticized Facebook for incentivizing low-quality, clickbait content that harms users and democracy. Meta, Facebook’s parent company, did not respond to requests for comments on the matter.
The investigation into HTV’s activities involved analyzing corporate documents, conducting on-the-ground research in Vietnam, and utilizing various software tools to uncover the network’s reach. The Media Ecosystem Observatory’s initial report on Facebook’s “News Slop Economy” in June 2026 provided crucial insights that helped CBC/Radio-Canada in their investigation.
The discovery of unique identifiers like the “kolax9843” email address on HTV-affiliated websites and Facebook pages shed light on the intricate web of deceit spun by the company. Despite attempts to obfuscate their operations, corporate records and online traces linked back to Ngo Anh Tan and HTV Network.
The proliferation of low-quality AI content, driven by AI technology and lax content policies on platforms like Meta, has facilitated the spread of misinformation. Experts like Craig Silverman criticized Meta for neglecting to address such content adequately, leading to its widespread dissemination.
In Vietnam, where Facebook enjoys a substantial user base and generates significant revenue, the lack of accountability for actors like HTV highlights the need for stricter regulations and oversight in the digital space to combat deceptive practices.
The uncovering of the HTV Network’s deceptive practices underscores the importance of vigilance in combating fake news and misinformation in the digital age.