Recognizing the violent nature of the case, the Criminal Police Division coordinated with relevant units to urgently track down the suspects. By May 1, authorities had identified Liu Hongbo and Lou JiaFeng as the individuals directly involved.

Initial investigations revealed that on April 25, Lou JiaFeng entered Vietnam to gamble in the Ngu Hanh Son area. After losing all his money, he borrowed funds from Liu Hongbo but was unable to repay the debt. The two then devised a plan to pressure Ding Lei - an acquaintance of Lou - into paying on his behalf.

On the evening of April 28, shortly after the victim arrived and checked into a hotel, the group approached him, invited him out for a meal, and later took him back to a room to demand repayment. When he refused, they restrained him and transported him to a vacant lot on Nguyen Khac Vien Street, where he was beaten and threatened.

The victim was then taken to a warehouse in An Khe Ward, where he continued to be detained, assaulted, and psychologically intimidated.

In the early hours of April 30, the group brought him back to the hotel and forced him to borrow 20,000 yuan via the “Z.F.B” application, transferring the money to Lou JiaFeng, while also seizing cash and other assets.

During searches, police seized five mobile phones, two passports, an electric motorbike, a car, a cable, and other related evidence.

In connection with the case, investigators have also charged Hoang Xuan Son (born 1997, from Hoan Lao commune, Quang Tri province) with unlawful detention. He has been placed under a travel restriction order for his role as an accomplice.

The investigation is ongoing.

Ho Giap - Ha Nam