Vietnamese man killed over gambling debt, body dumped in Cambodian river

Rajashree Seal January 21, 2025
Vietnamese man killed over gambling debt, body dumped in Cambodian river

As Vietnam continues to face challenges in curbing illegal gambling, a Vietnamese gambler was brutally tortured and stabbed to death. The body of the 42-year-old man identified as Hoan, a native of Hanoi, was found on December 2 in a river near Bavet City in Cambodia’s Svay Rieng Province, according to a report.

The man was reportedly killed as part of a violent debt recovery scheme involving a loan shark gang operating since 2023. Investigators revealed that the gang lent money to Vietnamese gamblers, trapping them in debt and threatening them or their families with torture or death if repayments were not made.

As per VNExpress International, the Criminal Investigation Department (C02) of the Ministry of Public Security announced that a case had been initiated, and five people were detained on charges of murder, robbery, and illegal detention. Meanwhile, two others were arrested for robbery and illegal detention. The suspects, who are also from Hanoi, currently reside in Binh Duong Province and other southern areas.

Victim of debt and violence

On 29 November 2024, Hoan and his wife travelled to a casino near Vietnam’s Long An Province in Cambodia, where he proceeded to lose his savings. After losing all his money, Hoan borrowed VND100 million ($4,200) from the gang and was taken to another casino, where he incurred an additional loss of VND200 million ($8,400).

Following this, he was trapped in a room against his will where the loan sharks ordered him to call his wife and relatives for money. On 1 December 2024, Hoan reportedly tried to escape the room but was captured again by guards in the area. He was later driven off in a car, tied up, beaten, and stabbed to death before his body was dumped in the river.

The victim’s wife reported the case to authorities on 25 December 2024, leading to the gang’s arrests.

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