On 30/7/2025, the Nghe An Provincial People's Court sentenced Thanh, 48, to 14 years in prison and Lam, 45, to 15 years for theft.

Both defendants testified that they were unemployed and stole the gold out of financial desperation.

Defendant Nguyen Trung Thanh at the court on 30/7. Photo: Hung Le

Defendant Nguyen Trung Thanh at the court on 30/7. Photo: Hung Le

Between 2017 and 2018, Thanh entered gold shops in Nghi Loc and Yen Thanh districts, posing as a customer interested in jewelry. While the staff were distracted, he opened display cases, pocketed the gold, and left. Lam waited outside on a motorbike for a quick getaway.

Authorities confirmed that the pair stole nearly 600 taels of gold over three separate incidents. They then transported the gold to southern provinces to sell and cover their tracks.

The stolen jewelry was valued at over 2.8 billion VND in 2018.

Following the thefts, Thanh and Lam fled to Laos, where they continued their criminal activities and were subsequently imprisoned. After completing his sentence, Thanh returned to Vietnam, and the Nghe An authorities reopened the case.

Lam is still serving his sentence in Laos and was tried in absentia by the Nghe An Provincial People's Court.

Duc Hung