The Investigation Police Agency of Ho Chi Minh City Police has prosecuted and detained Truong Nhat Phuong, 34, from Tay Ninh province, who was living a transient life, on charges of property theft.

Authorities say Phuong created the image of a successful businessman and used dating applications to lure hundreds of women into a so-called “sugar baby” arrangement, enabling him to steal property and record sensitive videos.

The “real estate tycoon” script and a calculated trap

According to initial information, earlier this month, L.Th.D.O., residing in Tan Son Nhat ward, Ho Chi Minh City, reported to Go Vap Ward Police that a man named Hung had deceived her and stolen her iPhone 16.

She said she met the man on Telegram in mid-January. He introduced himself as Hung, a real estate entrepreneur. After exchanging messages for a period, she agreed to meet him at a hotel in Go Vap ward on February 2.

After what she described as a period of conversation and intimacy, Hung suggested she take a shower. When she returned, he had disappeared, along with her phone.

Following the report, Go Vap Ward Police coordinated with Ho Chi Minh City Police to investigate. Through security camera footage and other investigative measures, officers quickly identified the suspect as Truong Nhat Phuong, who had a prior conviction for property theft.

Phuong was known to frequent an internet café on Quang Trung Street in Go Vap ward to play online games. However, when officers went to locate him, they learned he had traveled to Hanoi.

Upon receiving information that he would return, investigators organized surveillance. In the early hours of February 12, when Phuong appeared at the same internet café, officers ambushed and arrested him.

At the police station, Phuong initially denied wrongdoing but later confessed after being confronted with evidence. Further investigation indicated that he had been operating similar schemes across multiple provinces and cities.

Hundreds allegedly ensnared

Police said Phuong had once been a student at a specialized high school and graduated from a major university in Ho Chi Minh City. Though married with children, he allegedly chose to fund his gaming habits by targeting women.

From 2020, Phuong began approaching women to defraud them of money and property. In 2022, he was sentenced by the former District 1 People’s Court to 27 months in prison for property theft.

After serving his sentence, he allegedly resumed his activities, refining his tactics.

Investigators said Phuong used applications such as Tinder, Bumble and Viber, posing as an event manager or successful businessman seeking young women, particularly students.

He would then add them to chat groups he created, using multiple fake accounts to interact and persuade victims to join “sugar baby” packages, promising payments of VND40-50 million (approximately US$1,600-2,000) after several meetings. In reality, the supposed “tycoon” introduced to them was Phuong himself.

During meetings, he reportedly portrayed himself as emotionally vulnerable and proposed recording sensitive videos. Trusting him and hoping to secure the promised payments, some victims agreed. Police believe these recordings served as leverage, discouraging victims from reporting the theft of their belongings.

Phuong allegedly admitted that since 2020 he had contacted around 1,200 individuals and carried out acts against hundreds of women nationwide. Upon his arrest, police seized seven iPhones believed to be stolen property from previous incidents that had not yet been sold.

Given the large number of potential victims, the Investigation Police Agency has urged anyone harmed by Truong Nhat Phuong to contact Go Vap Ward Police at 0283.8942.596 or 0913.833.339 to assist with the ongoing investigation and legal proceedings.

Dam De