Man injured in dispute over alleged $75 billion meteorite deal in Vietnam
A man from Hanoi was injured after being assaulted during a dispute over an alleged US$75 billion meteorite deal in Vietnam’s Central Highlands province of Gia Lai, local authorities said on Wednesday.
Police of Ia Krai Commune in Gia Lai said they are verifying a complaint filed by Phung The Nhi, 51, who reported being attacked while attempting to purchase a meteorite that was allegedly valued at about $75 billion.
Local authorities said they had worked with the complainant, the accused, and other related individuals to clarify the alleged assault that caused injuries.
Regarding the reported meteorite transaction, police said the case has been referred to Gia Lai provincial authorities as it exceeds the jurisdiction of commune-level police.
Earlier on April 14, Nhi filed a complaint accusing the opposing party of “fraudulent appropriation of property” and “attempted murder.”
The accused, identified as P.P., 39, an ethnic Jarai man from Ia Krai Commune, was alleged by Nhi to have agreed to sell a 15-kilogram meteorite at $5 billion per kilogram, bringing the total value of the deal to about $75 billion.
Nhi said he had made several advance payments totaling more than VND1.3 billion ($50,000) to P..
According to Nhi, P. did not possess any meteorite and had fabricated the deal to defraud him.
After discovering this, he demanded a refund, but only VND200 million ($7,600) has been returned so far.
On April 10, Nhi and a group of associates went to P.’s home to demand repayment, where he said they were surrounded and assaulted.
Nhi said he was struck on the head with a hot water flask, causing injuries that required hospital treatment.
P., however, said he had previously known Nhi, who had asked him to help locate a meteorite.
He acknowledged receiving money from Nhi for the search but said he was unsuccessful.
According to P., during the April 10 meeting, Nhi demanded full repayment within one week.
Due to financial difficulties, he said he could not arrange such a large sum in such a short time.
P. said that after Nhi allegedly made threats, one person in his group became angry and struck Nhi with a hot teapot.
He added that he tried to intervene and helped take Nhi to a vehicle so others could bring him to the hospital.
Alleged foreign interest in meteorite purchase
When asked about the deal, Nhi said a foreign corporation had authorized a Vietnam-based company to acquire the meteorite and that he represented the company in the transaction.
He said he had previously transported a carload of cash to P.’s house to purchase the meteorite but took the money back after waiting from morning until evening without receiving the item.
Nhi claimed the company had sufficient funds for the $75 billion purchase but did not disclose its name or the intended purpose of the acquisition.
Van Giang - Tan Luc / Tuoi Tre News
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