On 9/12, Zhao Xin, 40, was sentenced by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Court for kidnapping to appropriate property.
As accomplices, Tran Phan Vu Thanh received 16 years, Nguyen Khanh Vi 15 years, and Duong Thuy Ai 12 years in prison.
Zhao Xin and his accomplices admitted to all charges in court today. Zhao Xin stated that in early December 2023, needing money, he discussed with Thanh finding a Chinese national living and working in Binh Duong (formerly) to kidnap for ransom. During two visits to the Lao Tuong Hy restaurant, he noticed Mr. Ming, 44, director of a furniture manufacturing company in Tan Binh town (formerly Bac Tan Uyen district). Recognizing Mr. Ming's financial status, Zhao Xin recruited Thanh to monitor him and plan the kidnapping.
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Defendant Zhao Xin (far left) and his accomplices in court. Photo: Binh Nguyen |
On the evening of 20/12/2023, Zhao Xin spotted Mr. Ming at the restaurant and called Thanh to monitor him. Early the next morning, as the businessman drove his car away, Thanh, with Zhao Xin as a passenger on his motorbike, followed for about 10 km before blocking the car.
As Mr. Ming exited his car, Thanh impersonated a police officer, demanded a breathalyzer test, then used an electric baton to subdue the victim and force him into the back seat of the car.
Zhao Xin then contacted Ai and called Vi to drive a motorbike back. Zhao Xin and Thanh drove Mr. Ming's car to a vacant lot in Hoa Phu ward, Thu Dau Mot City. Leaving Thanh to guard the victim, Zhao Xin walked to a nearby rented room, retrieved a pre-rented pickup truck, and returned with Vi.
At the vacant lot, Vi subdued Mr. Ming and transferred him to the pickup truck. Zhao Xin drove the victim's car with Thanh to hide it more than 50 km away. The group then took Mr. Ming to a workshop Ai had rented in Hoa Phu ward, where they tied his hands and feet, blindfolded him, and locked him in a car trunk.
They forced Mr. Ming to call his colleague, Xu Feng, demanding 4,5 billion VND for his release. Mr. Xu Feng then informed a female colleague and the victim's brother, and together they reported the incident to the Binh Duong Provincial Police. Deeming the case exceptionally serious, authorities implemented measures in coordination with the family to ensure the victim's safety.
On the afternoon of 21/12/2023, Zhao Xin instructed them to bring the money to an abandoned residential area in Hoa Phu ward, constantly changing meeting points to check for police surveillance. When the family arrived, he did not allow them to see the victim but demanded they throw the money bag onto the ground, threatening to "chop off their hands" if they delayed. They were forced to drop a cloth bag containing 4,5 billion VND and leave.
As Zhao Xin rode his motorbike to collect the money, police arrested him; other forces simultaneously rescued Mr. Ming. That same day, Vi and Ai were also arrested, while Thanh fled to Kien Giang and surrendered on 29/12.
Binh Nguyen
