Vietnamese man arrested over $426,000 overseas property scam

Police in Vinh Long Province announced on Saturday that Dao Hong Thai, 45, a resident of Long Duc Ward, had been charged with fraud and placed in detention for four months pending further investigation.

According to investigators, Thai learned in March 2025 that D.T.V., a 53-year-old woman from Ho Chi Minh City's Phu Nhuan Ward, wanted to buy a house overseas for her relatives to live in.

Thai and his younger sister who resides abroad offered to help her find and purchase a property.

Trusting their offer, the woman transferred more than VND11 billion to Thai between April 11 and 23, 2025.

However, Thai was accused of using the money for personal expenses instead of buying the promised property and has since been unable to repay the victim.

Police are continuing to investigate the case.