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Crypto Robbery and Kidnapping in Vietnam: A RealLife Hollywood Plot


In short: Sixteen Vietnamese, including two former police officers, are set to face trial after being accused of being involved in a $1.5 million cryptocurrency robbery and kidnapping. The incident occurred after a victim had lost crypto in an unsuccessful investment deal and believed he was the victim of a scam. Vietnam ranks high in cryptocurrency adoption rates, with 21% of the population having used or owned digital currencies and 17% of Vietnamese people being HODLers, according to a report.

Our quick analysis:
Vietnam, a global cryptocurrency leader, recently made headlines for a real-life Hollywood-style plot involving a crypto robbery and kidnapping. The People's Court of Ho Chi Minh City brought 16 Vietnamese to justice, two of whom were former police officers.

It all began in 2018 when Le Duc Nguyen advised Ho Ngoc Tai to sell his 1,000 BTC, valued at approximately $4.2 million at the time, to purchase other digital currencies. Unfortunately, the investment didn't pan out, leading Tai to believe he fell victim to a crypto scam. He then assembled a team in May 2020 with the intention of stealing his assets back.

The team consisted of 16 people who tracked Nguyen's whereabouts using GPS devices installed on his vehicle. They hired a van and bought realistic weapons before kidnapping Nguyen at gunpoint. The group demanded that Nguyen's brother transfer the original amount of 1,000 BTC to Tai's wallet. They later settled for $1.5 million worth of crypto after realizing that his relative didn't have the requested amount. The victim was later left in Thu Duc, 15 kilometers north of Ho Chi Minh City's center.

The law enforcement agencies of the Vietnamese city brought Tai and his 15 alleged accomplices to trial. While the mastermind of the operation initially admitted to the crime, he later retracted his statement during the investigation. The remaining defendants claimed that they thought Tai would collect the debt from Nguyen normally and not through kidnapping.

Despite being a top country for cryptocurrency adoption and usage, Vietnam has not imposed a legal framework on the asset class. According to a report by blockchain service provider Chainalysis, Vietnam tops global studies with a score of 1.000, with 21% of the locals using or owning digital currencies at some point in their lives. Additionally, the Vietnam Crypto Market Report 2022 showed that 17% of Vietnamese are HODLers, with nearly a third of those investing in Bitcoin.

The Vietnamese are known for their love of crypto, and this recent incident proves the risks that come with it. Such plots may seem movie-like, but they have real-life consequences. Justice was served in this case, but it's a reminder to all crypto enthusiasts to exercise caution.

Image provided by Unsplash
Disclaimer: Our articles are NOT financial advice, and we are not financial advisors. Your investments are your own responsibility. Please do your own research and seek advice from a licensed financial advisor beforehand if needed.

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