On 3/4, the Da Nang City Police Investigation Agency announced the temporary detention of Nguyen Ngoc Huy, who resides in Hai Chau ward, for property fraud. Decisions to initiate criminal proceedings and prosecute the defendant were approved in late March.

Nguyen Ngoc Huy at the police station. Photo: Thanh Huynh

According to the investigation, Huy and Hong, 45, were old classmates from the 1991-1995 period. After many years out of contact, they reconnected in 2019 at a school anniversary event and developed a romantic relationship. Around the same time, Huy also became involved in an illegal lottery (so de) ring.

Plagued by gambling losses and unable to pay winners, Huy devised a scheme to defraud Hong to cover his financial deficit. To gain her trust, Huy proposed a business partnership, even arranging for acquaintances to pose as business partners in various sectors to meet and persuade Hong.

Hong transferred money to Huy on multiple occasions, totaling 1,6 billion VND. On 29/3/2021, Huy signed a debt acknowledgment for this amount. However, instead of investing the funds as promised, Huy used the entire sum to settle personal debts and for his own expenses, subsequently cutting off contact and fleeing the area.

The case, initially classified as a civil dispute, has been ongoing since 2021. Following multiple complaints and the provision of additional details regarding Huy's deceptive actions, in 9/2025, the Head of the Da Nang City Police Investigation Agency ordered a comprehensive re-verification.

* Victim's name has been changed

Ngoc Truong