Police prosecute group for fraudulently selling 'meteorites' and swindling 2 billion VND.
The police have initiated criminal proceedings and arrested a group of five people accused of fraudulently selling "meteorites" and embezzling 2 billion VND.
On August 29th, the Investigation Agency of the Dong Thap Provincial Police announced that they had initiated criminal proceedings and arrested Phan Van Tinh (born in 1980, residing in Tan Hong district); Nguyen Huu Phuoc (born in 1985), Duong Van Kinh (born in 1980), Nguyen Trung Hieu (born in 1979), and Pham Van Luy (born in 1988) - all residing in Hong Nguy district - for investigation into the crime of "Fraudulent appropriation of property.
This group is accused of fraudulently selling "meteorites" and embezzling 2 billion VND in Thuong Thoi Tien town, Hong Ngu district.
According to the investigation, Ms. LTG (born in 1971, residing in Binh Dinh) learned through social connections from Tinh about a rare object, known as a "meteorite," that was being offered for sale.
On August 4th, Ms. G. arrived in Thuong Thoi Tien town, rented a hotel room, and arranged to meet Tinh to negotiate. The two discussed a contract for the sale of "meteorites," in which Ms. G. had to deposit 2 billion VND. If she violated the contract, this amount would be forfeited.
That same evening, Tinh bought a safe and asked Ms. G. to put 2 billion VND into it, then left the safe in the hotel room. Tinh kept the key, while Ms. G. kept the password. Afterwards, Tinh asked Ms. G. to hand over the signed contract to perform a ritual, with the purpose of "facilitating the transaction".
At 9:00 AM on August 6th, Tinh, along with Phuoc, Kinh, Hieu, and Luy, arrived at the hotel and demanded that Ms. G. pay 2 billion VND for breach of contract. At this point, Ms. G. checked the contract and discovered the transaction deadline was August 5th. Ms. G. refused to pay, but Tinh persuaded her to postpone the transaction to another day, on the condition that she deposit 2 billion VND before being taken to see the "meteorite."
Trusting him, Mrs. G. gave Tinh 2 billion VND. After receiving the money, Tinh and his accomplices cut off all contact and went into hiding.
Suspecting she had been scammed, Ms. G. reported the incident to the Hong Ngu District Police. Through investigation, the Hong Ngu District Police identified the individuals involved and summoned them for questioning.
During questioning, the group admitted they had no "meteorites" to sell and confessed to fabricating a story to defraud victims. They concocted the story about "meteorites" to lure victims into a trap and then stole 2 billion VND under the pretext of breach of contract.
After clarifying the incident, the Hong Ngu District Police transferred the case file to the Criminal Police Department of Dong Thap Provincial Police for further investigation according to their jurisdiction.