On 11/2, Thien, 28, residing in TP HCM, was temporarily detained by Xuan Huong Ward Police in Da Lat for investigation into property appropriation fraud.

According to the investigation, Thien introduced himself as an officer working at the Economic Police Department (C03) under the Ministry of Public Security when he approached a man in Lam Vien Ward, Da Lat. He boasted about having a batch of foreign liquor at Saigon Port that needed to be liquidated, claiming he could acquire 100 bottles for 100 million VND.

Suspect Thien with a uniform purchased online. Photo: Le Tien

Thien asked the man for a 50 million VND deposit, promising delivery in three to five days. Believing him, the man immediately transferred 20 million VND.

To build trust, Thien went to a shopping mall, photographed expensive foreign liquor bottles on display, and sent them to the victim. He also ordered a police uniform online and wore it to the man's house, reinforcing his disguise.

Subsequently, Thien repeatedly offered various excuses, demanding the victim transfer more money. In total, the man transferred and handed over 131,5 million VND in cash to Thien.

After a long wait without receiving the goods, the victim sought Thien out. Thien admitted there was no foreign liquor batch, that the money had been spent, and only returned 23,5 million VND.

Le Tien