Police in Da Nang arrested Truong Thi Thuy, 67, and Nguyen Thi Bich Lien, 40, on 30/8 on fraud charges.

Thuy and Lien at their arrest. Photo: Thanh Anh

Thuy and Lien at their arrest. Photo: Thanh Anh

The pair allegedly concocted a story between 2/2024 and 1/2025 about Thuy purchasing a golden banana bunch in 2013 that was later confiscated by authorities in Quang Nam province. Thuy claimed she had repeatedly lost lawsuits trying to retrieve the bananas but that "high-ranking officials" were intervening and a large settlement was imminent. However, she said she needed to pay taxes and storage fees before the funds could be released.

Lien pretended to make bank payments, further convincing the victim, Nguyen Thi Tri, 57, of Tam Ky city. Thuy deliberately made calls in front of Tri, reinforcing the ruse and prompting her to transfer and directly deliver a total of 870 million VND. Thuy reportedly spent 800 million VND, and gave Lien 70 million VND for "food and travel expenses". They have since repaid 250 million VND.

Da Nang police urge anyone else who may have been victimized by these women to contact investigator Dang Tuan Nam at 0982.151.079 or visit the police station at 26 Nguyen Chi Thanh street, Ban Thach ward.

Authorities also warned the public to be wary of "fee-for-money" schemes that exploit the desire for financial gain. Similar "prize winnings," "lawsuit victories," and "fund disbursement" scams have cost victims billions of VND recently.

Ngoc Truong