On 11/4, the Criminal Police Department (PC02) of TP HCM Police expanded its investigation into Ho Minh Dat, 54, his wife Nguyen Thi Giang, and seven others for property extortion. Police are urging victims of this gang to come forward with information and are continuing to pursue other individuals involved.

Dat and his associates' activities were uncovered by the PC02 during an investigation into debt collection gangs operating under the guise of businesses, linked to Duoc Dat Bac and Phong Le.

Ho Minh Dat at the investigative agency. Photo: TP HCM Police

From durian trader to debt collection kingpin

During questioning, Dat admitted to social connections with notorious debt collection gangs led by Duoc Dat Bac and Phong Le. However, he claimed to operate more discreetly and denied any joint ventures with these individuals.

The suspect stated that before establishing Nhat Tin Debt Trading Company Limited, he worked in garments and later traded durians. In 2021, friends encouraged him to set up the business, as he believed debt trading was a legal activity.

Instead of conducting business according to the registered industry, Dat recruited many tattooed young men, equipped them with uniforms displaying the company logo and phone number, and organized them for contracted debt collection.

To conceal their operations, the group used fake contracts, with a common profit-sharing ratio of 30-50% of the recovered amount. Dat claimed he only accepted cases with clear supporting documents, avoiding those linked to black market credit or gambling.

Debt trading contracts used to deal with authorities. Photo: TP HCM Police

More than 20 times pressuring debtors at their homes and stores

According to the investigation, Dat's group operated systematically, using automobiles to transport employees to Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Dong Nai, and some northern provinces for debt collection.

During each visit, Dat assigned clear roles to each person: one to speak, one to take notes, and one to record video. He claimed the video recordings served as evidence, in case debtors destroyed property and then blamed his employees.

However, investigators found that the reality was contrary to his claims.

From late July to early October 2025, Dat and his associates visited Ms. Ngoc's private residence and business in Tam Long ward, TP HCM, over 20 times to pressure her for a 70 billion VND debt.

The group often wore uniforms, displayed their tattoos, arrived in groups of automobiles, gathered in large numbers outside the store, shouted insults, and issued threats; they even assaulted and destroyed the property of the victim's relatives and employees.

Ho Minh Dat (4th from left) and Nguyen Thi Giang (pink shirt) arrested with their associates. Photo: TP HCM Police

Wife involved in debt collection, directing associates from a coffee shop

Police identified Nguyen Thi Giang, Dat's wife whom he married in 2025, as an active link in the group's operations. In addition to providing meals for employees, Giang frequently accompanied her husband to debt collection sessions.

Specifically in the case involving Ms. Ngoc, Giang is accused of storming into the store, shouting, causing disorder, and obstructing the victim's business operations.

According to the investigation, whenever they went to intimidate debtors, Dat and his wife would often sit at a coffee shop near the scene to observe and issue instructions. If police appeared, they would instruct their employees to present the debt trading contracts and documents to authorities.

Regarding the 70 billion VND debt case, Dat claimed he was promised a 12% share of the recovered amount through broker Nguyen Trung Duc, 48. However, after more than one month of unsuccessful pressure, he proactively proposed canceling the contract because the matter was taking too long.

After gathering sufficient evidence, the Criminal Police Department mobilized forces to simultaneously arrest and search the homes of Dat and his wife, their associates, and Nguyen Trung Duc. Seized evidence included numerous company stamps, uniforms, automobiles, and sets of "debt trading contracts" believed to be used to conceal illegal activities.

Quoc Thang

* Victim's name has been changed.