Crime Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Stealing Luxury Goods in HCMC Mall

[snoop1130]

Photo: VN Express

 

A man who masqueraded as a wealthy shopper to pilfer luxury items worth VND3 billion (approximately US$38,420) from a Ho Chi Minh City shopping mall has been sentenced to 10 years in prison. The court in HCMC found 33-year-old Phan Van Chien guilty of theft on Thursday.

 

The indictment detailed how Chien, leveraging his opulent appearance, committed multiple thefts yet received some leniency due to his full confession, restitution of the stolen items, and acknowledgment of his family's historical contributions to the revolution.

 

During the trial, Chien admitted to the allegations, explaining that despite being born into affluence and accustomed to a life of luxury, financial hardships at the start of 2024 drove him to commit thefts. To maintain his lifestyle, he resorted to stealing high-end goods, which he also sold for financial gain.

 

Chien's criminal spree began on January 21, 2024, when he visited the Tiffany & Co. store on Dong Khoi Street, District 1. Posing as a discerning customer, he gained access to the VIP area, where he was shown several valuable jewels. While staff were momentarily distracted, he stealthily slipped three diamond-encrusted bracelets, valued at VND2.6 billion, into his bag. Feigning the need to take a phone call, he quickly exited the store.

 

 

 

Undeterred, a few days later, Chien targeted the Hermes store within the same mall. Under the guise of interest in luxury wallets and purses, he requested to see multiple items. Taking advantage of the staff’s diverted attention, he covertly placed three wallets worth VND450 million into his bag. Using the same ruse of needing to take a call, he fled again.

 

The District 1 Police, upon receiving reports of the thefts, reviewed security footage from the mall, accurately identifying Chien as the perpetrator. His subsequent arrest led to the recovery of the stolen goods.

 

Chien's sentence reflects both the gravity of his crimes and his cooperative behavior during the investigation, illustrating the balance between justice and leniency in criminal proceedings.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from VN Express 2025-04-25