Suspects stage car crashes, abduct road users for extortion

Le Pham Minh Vu and two accomplices are accused of using a car to corner victims, stage traffic collisions, then force them into their vehicle and demand money for their release.

On 29/7, the Thanh Hoa Provincial Police Criminal Investigation Department arrested Le Pham Minh Vu, Nguyen Dinh Kien, and Le Danh Vu (aged 21-23) for alleged extortion and illegal detention. The investigation revealed the group carried out two incidents, extorting a total of 9,5 million VND.

According to police, in the early morning of 27/7, Vu drove a car with two accomplices from Dong Quang ward towards Sam Son ward. Near the Sam Son Ward People's Committee, the group observed some teenagers riding motorcycles at high speed and felt provoked. Vu accelerated, pursued them, cut off one motorcycle, forcing it to the roadside, and restrained a young man named Nam, who resides in Nghi Son.

The three suspects under arrest. *Lam Son*

Despite no actual collision or damage to the car, the group used the pretext of an accident to demand Nam call his relatives to bring money for compensation. As Nam could not reach his family, he was forced into the car, while an accomplice rode the victim's motorcycle, following them.

While waiting for Nam's family to bring the money, the group returned to the Nhoi roundabout area in Dong Quang ward. There, they encountered four teenagers on two motorcycles and again felt provoked. Vu continued the pursuit, forcing one motorcycle to fall to the ground, then demanded they "settle the collision with money." Investigators reported that Vu and his accomplices slapped two victims, forced the entire group into the car, and drove them to various locations.

During the drive, Vu demanded compensation for car repair costs, threatened to report them to the police if they didn't pay, and claimed to "have a gun" to intimidate them. Fearing for their safety, the teenagers collected two million VND and gave it to Vu before being allowed to exit the car.

Nam, however, remained in the car because his family had not yet brought the money. Around 9:00 AM that day, when his relatives arrived, Vu demanded eight million VND for the return of the motorcycle and Nam's release. After receiving 7,5 million VND, the group agreed to release Nam.

After obtaining the money, Vu gave one accomplice 500.000 VND, the other one million VND, and used the remaining amount for personal purposes.