On 1/1, An Giang Provincial Police announced they have resumed investigations into Tien and Viet, two individuals subject to international warrants for extremely dangerous crimes including murder, robbery, and kidnapping for extortion.

According to the investigation, in early 2023, Nguyen Khac Manh (36), while working at a casino in Cambodia, discussed with several fellow Vietnamese laborers, including Tien and Viet, forming a ring to lure Vietnamese laborers to Cambodia, then detain and extort them. The group created Facebook accounts to recruit people for overseas work, promising high incomes.

Viet and Tien at the investigative agency. Photo: Police.

In 8/2023, 5 Vietnamese laborers were illegally taken across the Long Binh border gate (An Giang) into Cambodia and handed over to Manh's group. At a guesthouse in Kandal province, the victims were tied up, beaten, threatened with weapons, and had all their possessions stolen, then videos were filmed and sent to their families to demand ransom.

The victims' families transferred approximately 500 million dong to the criminal group. One 42-year-old victim was murdered before their relatives could pay the ransom. After committing the crime, the group left the victim's belongings at the casino to conceal their actions before fleeing.

The 4 other victims took advantage of an oversight and escaped, returning to the Long Binh border gate where they were discovered by Border Guards and handed over to the police for investigation.

The investigative agency subsequently prosecuted 10 people involved. By the end of 2024, 6 defendants had been prosecuted, and 4 individuals, including Tien and Viet, were subject to arrest warrants. Viet surrendered in Hai Phong on 15/12; Tien was arrested on 24/12 while hiding in Nhuan Duc commune (TP HCM).

At the investigative agency, both admitted to participating in the kidnapping, robbery, and extortion of Vietnamese laborers in Cambodia.

An Minh