Ho Chi Minh City police have arrested five people accused of posing as sellers, investors and businesspeople to pass off ordinary pebbles as meteorites worth millions of dollars.
The five suspects arrested in the case. Le Hoang Giang (large photo, left) was identified by police as the alleged ringleader. Photo: Police
The Ho Chi Minh City Criminal Police Division, in coordination with An Lac Ward Police and other specialized units, recently uncovered an alleged fraud scheme involving purported meteorites valued at millions of dollars.
Police have launched a criminal investigation, charged five suspects and placed them in pre-trial detention on charges of fraud and appropriation of property.
The suspects are Le Hoang Giang, born in 1974; Nguyen Viet Thanh, born in 1978; Nguyen Thanh Dung, born in 1980, all from Can Tho City; Ka Deh, born in 1992 and from Lam Dong; and Xa Thi My Tien, born in 1977 and from An Giang.
Giang was identified by police as the alleged ringleader.
According to investigators, members of the group were assigned different roles, posing as merchandise owners, investors and businesspeople to gain the trust of prospective buyers.
Pebbles seized by police that the group allegedly passed off as meteorites. Photo: Police
They allegedly used ordinary pebbles and presented them as "meteorites" worth millions of dollars before enticing victims into transactions in an attempt to obtain their money.
The police investigation agency is continuing to examine the transactions, money flows and conduct of other people linked to the case.
The Ho Chi Minh City Criminal Police Division has asked anyone who handed over money to the group or has information related to the suspects to contact police and provide documents to assist the investigation.
Vietnamnet.vn
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