On 9/2, the Ho Chi Minh City Police's Criminal Investigation Department, in coordination with Phu Dinh Ward Police, arrested Dat, along with Vo Minh Vy (21) and Nguyen Phuoc Tai (18), for intentionally damaging property.

Police apprehend three suspects for throwing paint at homes. Video: Ho Chi Minh City Police

Investigations revealed that Dat organized and led the group. An unidentified individual on social media hired Dat to "pressure debtors into repayment." After receiving the address, Dat invited Vy and Tai to join him.

Early on 1/2, the group traveled from An Giang to Ho Chi Minh City, locating a house in an alley on Hoang Ngan Street, Phu Dinh Ward (formerly District 8). There, Tai directly threw red paint bottles at the main door, windows, and yard. The group recorded a video, which they sent to the hirer to verify job completion and receive a payment of 5,5 million dong.

The incident caused panic for the victim's family and damaged property with an estimated loss of about 7 million dong.

Around the same time, Dat's group also threw paint at another house in a neighboring province. After committing the acts, they returned to An Giang province and were subsequently arrested.

Nguyen Phat Dat (center) with two accomplices. Photo: Ho Chi Minh City Police

According to police, the incident originated from a family member of the victim borrowing money through high-interest online loans and then being unable to repay. The creditors resorted to various methods of psychological harassment, including hiring Dat's group to throw paint.

Ho Chi Minh City Police are expanding their investigation to track down other individuals involved. They also advise residents to be cautious of high-interest online quick loans and to immediately report any threats or psychological harassment for debt collection to the police.

Quoc Thang