A young man born in 2001 used sophisticated tactics to swindle his friend's wife out of nearly 3.5 billion VND.

According to the Nam Dinh Provincial Police, the Criminal Investigation Department of the Provincial Police has temporarily detained two brothers residing in Truc Khang commune (Truc Ninh district, Nam Dinh province) for investigation into the crime of "fraudulent appropriation of property".

The two suspects are: Ha Van Hao (born in 2001) and Ha Manh Cuong (born in 1998). Hao had previously served a 24-month prison sentence for "Rape" in 2018.

Accordingly, Hao was friends with Mr. D.VP (residing in Truc Hung commune, Truc Ninh district). Upon learning that Mr. P. was being detained by the police for gambling, Hao impersonated Mr. P., texting his wife to swindle money, claiming it was to buy more food in the detention center and to arrange for his release on bail.

Mistaking her husband for the scammer, the wife transferred a total of 3.42 billion VND in 10 installments to the bank accounts provided by Hao.

Hao also messaged a close family friend of Mr. P., asking to borrow money and fraudulently appropriating 1.213 billion VND.

When Cường discovered Hào's actions, he did not intervene or report him, but instead assisted his younger brother.

Cuong borrowed bank accounts from many people for Hao to use as accounts to receive money scammed from victims. Each time Hao successfully scammed money, he would share the proceeds with Cuong.

From August 2024 to January 2025, Hao impersonated Mr. P. to commit fraud, stealing a total of 4.63 billion VND from Mr. P.'s wife and friends.

In late February 2025, suspecting that the person messaging her was not her husband, Mr. P.'s wife reported the matter to the police.

At the police station, Hao and Cuong confessed to the crime of fraud and misappropriation of property.