Photo courtesy of VN Express

 

In a dramatic turn of events, two overseas Vietnamese are standing trial in Ho Chi Minh City, accused of orchestrating a violent assault that led to a debtor's death. The Family and Juvenile Tribunal of the city's People’s Court opened proceedings against Quach Ken Chee, an Australian of Vietnamese descent, and Dinh Christina Phuong Thi, a Vietnamese-American. The charges, among the most severe, include murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

 

The narrative began in 2021 when Chee, 48, became embroiled with Dinh Thi, 30, over a financial dispute involving a man named Thinh. By mid-2023, fed up with Thinh's failure to repay borrowed money, Chee allegedly instructed Thi to "teach him a lesson."

 

Court documents reveal that Thi sought help through Facebook, allegedly paying a group VND10.5 million (approximately 12,500 Thai Baht) to intimidate Thinh. When the initial attempt resulted in mere scratches, Chee reportedly escalated the situation, insisting on a more severe attack. He instructed her to hire others and to ensure the assault was filmed, promising a further VND15 million (around 17,850 Thai Baht).

 

Thi reportedly turned to her boyfriend, Nguyen Van Dung, 20, who purchased knives and involved friends in the attack. Their first attempt was thwarted by a police patrol, yet Chee sent VND10 million (about 11,900 Thai Baht) for their efforts.

 

On 3 August 2023, a carefully plotted ambush unfolded. Dung, by then deeply involved, lured Thinh into District 4. It was here that Nguyen Thanh Thinh allegedly forced the victim off his motorcycle, stabbing him twice, while an accomplice filmed the brutal scene for Thi.

 

Tragically, Thinh managed to escape towards District 7, only to collapse and later succumb to his injuries in hospital. In a shocking twist, Thi sent the video of the attack to Chee, demanding the agreed payment. Upon learning of Thinh's death, her demands escalated to funding the group’s escape to Cambodia, which Chee apparently refused. Their plan thwarted, police arrested the group before they could flee.

 

Investigators describe Chee as the scheme's architect, acknowledging he accepted the risk that such violence could lead to death. The others involved face charges as direct participants or accomplices in this heinous act.

 

However, proceedings hit a snag when a defendant produced evidence of dual Vietnamese–Canadian citizenship. This revelation prompted judges to adjourn the trial, returning the case to investigators for further scrutiny.

 

As the legal process unfolds, it underscores the tangled web of international ties and the potential for financial dealings to spiral into violence. The case remains a stark reminder of the extremes some are willing to traverse over monetary disputes.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from VN Express 2025-08-13

 

The guy 2nd from the left is trying to do a "Coldplay". 😆