Police in District 11, Ho Chi Minh City, have detained Hesmati Norouz, a 43-year-old Iranian national, for allegedly using sleight-of-hand tactics to steal 20 million VND ($820) from a store employee.

The suspect is currently in custody while authorities prepare legal proceedings against him.

Theft using deception and distraction

On the evening of February 2, D.H.H., a 23-year-old employee at a sports equipment store on Lac Long Quan Street, Ward 5, District 11, reported a theft to the local police. She claimed that a foreign customer had tricked her into handing over extra money during a transaction.

According to H., the suspect entered the store and attempted to purchase a badminton racket valued at 1.3 million VND ($53). Speaking in English, he asked to pay in foreign currency and handed over a $100 bill.

As H. was processing the transaction, the man pointed to a stack of cash in the store’s register and requested his change in Vietnamese dong. Suddenly, he grabbed the entire bundle of money and began shuffling the bills quickly in front of the employee.

A moment later, he returned the bundle and left the store. Suspicious of the interaction, H. recounted the money and realized that 20 million VND ($820) was missing from the original 33 million VND ($1,350) stack.

Police investigation leads to suspect’s arrest

Upon receiving the report, District 11 Police launched an investigation to track down the suspect. By the afternoon of February 4, law enforcement officers coordinated with Tan Binh District Police and located Norouz in an apartment in Ward 2, Tan Binh District.

During questioning, the suspect initially denied the allegations and gave inconsistent statements. However, after continued interrogation, he eventually admitted to the theft.

Police recovered the stolen 20 million VND from Norouz and promptly returned it to the victim.

Authorities are now completing legal procedures to pursue charges against the suspect for fraudulent appropriation of property.

Dam De