Vietnamese police rescue three South Koreans illegally detained at apartment in suspected job scam
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HO CHI MINH CITY - Three South Korean citizens seeking employment in Vietnam have been rescued from an apartment complex where they were illegally detained, the Ho Chi Minh City Criminal Police Department announced on Aug 26.
The police are expanding their investigation of the case.
After receiving information from the South Korean Embassy in Vietnam, the Criminal Police Department and the Lai Thieu Ward Police, in coordination with other units, identified that the victims were held against their will at the Emerald Golf View apartment complex.
The police conducted an administrative inspection of the apartment and caught two suspects holding captive the three South Korean victims.
Initial investigations identified Chinese national Luo Shenghua, also known as Nam, as the mastermind.
The victims were seeking employment and through social networks were promised jobs in Vietnam with a high salary. The suspects arranged air tickets and a pick-up service at the airport.
On Aug 14, the victims landed in Vietnam at the Tan Son Nhat International Airport and were taken to a hotel in Thuan Giao Ward in Ho Chi Minh City, before being transferred to Emerald Golf View.
Luo and his accomplices demanded the victims sell bank accounts or pay compensation totalling 4.5 million won (S$4,140) before they could return to South Korea.
He also hired three Vietnamese men – Vong Quang Tuan, 41, Nguyen Thanh Phuc, 38, and Le Van Kieu, 25 – to guard the apartment.
The guards were promised wages of 500,000 Vietnamese dong (S$24) to 1,000,000 Vietnamese dong per person per day.
The investigation authorities said that Luo directed the detention, demanded payments and hired supervisors. Tuan actively assisted by finding the guards, while Phuc and Kieu knowingly participated to gain benefits despite being aware of the illegal acts.
Ho Chi Minh City Police have issued arrest warrants for Luo, Tuan, Phuc and Kieu for the crime of illegal detention.
Other suspects will also be dealt with according to the law.
Ho Chi Minh City Police will coordinate with the police from other provinces and cities to investigate the network that brings foreigners into Vietnam through fraudulent and coercive means.
The police warn citizens to be vigilant against social media offers of “easy jobs, high pay” to avoid falling prey to criminals. VIETNAM NEWS/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
