Originally Posted by SingViet (Post 3297575)

Japanese tourists rescued from bia om con


thieves have been preying on foreign tourists using a time-honored confidence trick involving pretty girls and inflated bar bills.

Ho Chi Minh City police Monday arrested five members of a robbery gang who were allegedly working with a bar owner to rip off and rob Japanese tourists.

Alleged ringleader Nguyen Thanh Do was apprehended as he was coercing Y.M to withdraw money from an automatic teller machine (ATM) in District 3.

Alleged ringleader Nguyen Thanh Do in police custody Monday. Do admitted his gang had committed at least 23 robberies targeting Japanese tourists since early this year.

The police then raided the Phuong Dong restaurant in Binh Thanh District to rescue another Japanese citizen, N.D.

During investigations, Do, who has been wanted by the police over two other robberies, identified four accomplices, who were all arrested.

Police said Monday they had seized six motorbikes, six cell-phones, four ATM cards, US$520 and 9,000 yen (around $97) in cash and other valuables. The ring members could face charges of “extracting property from others” and “illegal detention of people.”

The robbery

The police said Monday’s arrests were the result of a 15-day stake-out of HCMC’s backpacker area in District 1, where many foreign tourists stay.

On Sunday, the alleged ringleader Do met N. and Y. at a snail eatery in District 1’s Bui Vien Street, police said.

Telling the Japanese visitors he was working for a tourist firm in HCMC, Do invited them to the Phuong Dong restaurant where they were “entertained” by three bia om girls.

In Vietnam, bia om (literally ‘beer hug’) restaurants are places where men are entertained by scantily-clad women. They are more well-known for prostitution than fine dining.

ADVICE FOR VICTIMS

Foreigners who are robbed can dial (08) 3 838 7200 to report the incident to the city police’s investigative agency (PC14), the police department said.

Those staying in the backpacker area are also advised to go to the nearest police station, the Pham Ngu Lao Ward police station, at 66 Bui Vien Street in District 1.

Affected victims should also contact their respective consuls for further assistance.

At around 11 p.m. that night, the Japanese tourists were presented with a bill for $618 for food and drinks and $620 for two of the bia om girls. Police, who arrested the restaurant manager Hoang Minh Thanh Monday, calculated the bill should have been only VND1.8 million ($106).

After the two Japanese tourists said they had only $520 on them, Do’s sidekicks Nguyen Duc Diep and Tran Manh Ninh, overpowered them and took their cash - $520 in US currency, 9,000 yen and VND2 million (nearly $120) – as well as two cameras, four credit cards and the men’s passports.

Do ordered his accomplices to detain N. at the restaurant while he took Y. to an ATM to withdraw the money he “owed” on the restaurant bill.

The HCMC police department said Monday they had returned the stolen property to the Japanese tourists.

Do also told investigators since early this year, his gang had committed at least 23 similar robberies, all using the same tactics and targeting Japanese visitors.

Investigations into the scam began after the Japanese Consulate General in HCMC told city police such cases have been on the increase lately.

The police said Do, a former street coconut vendor, had come under surveillance because he appeared to have come into a lot of money this year.

Do had a new wardrobe and was seen interacting with many foreigners and riding an expensive motorbike, police said.

Investigations are continuing.

Reported by Dam Huy


Story from Thanh Nien News
Published: 09 December, 2008, 11:47:06 (GMT+7)
Copyright Thanh Nien News

Originally Posted by richie4 (Post 3298430)

Sorry Bros,
I think off topics
I not familiar with this ,

Can i know what will happen if her stay in sg is near 30 days,and i bring her to Malaysia ?
Will immigration is sg extend her stay or ask her to return to Vn on the actual date.?
I extend her stay by internet not approve.
Do vietnamese need a visa to go to malaysia?

Tks

Originally Posted by richie4 (Post 3298430)

Sorry Bros,
Can i know what will happen if her stay in sg is near 30 days,and i bring her to Malaysia ?
Will immigration is sg extend her stay or ask her to return to Vn on the actual date.?
I extend her stay by internet not approve.
Do vietnamese need a visa to go to malaysia?

Tks

Originally Posted by casannova03 (Post 3298535)

For malaysia side, not a problem cos vietnamese do not need visas. Most important thing is her air ticket. They will check and see that she has a valid air ticket with a return date booked. So if lets say she already has a return date booked, say for a flight from singapore, most prob they will let her thru.

As for Singapore, since you've mentioned that your online application was rejected, i forsee that she most likely will not get extension even if you go malaysia and come back. They will just give you the balance of her remaining days in SG. For example, if she has two days left on her initial 'chop' when you come back from malaysia, they will chop two days....to allow her to tke her flight. That's all.

Internet extension is one of the easiest way to get extension so if that is rejected, most likely you will not get when you go thru the checkpoint.

Above are my views....;)

Originally Posted by technofreak (Post 3298123)

Originally Posted by richie4 (Post 3298632)

Thank You for your infos

How many days must she stay in Vn if she want to return to Sg.?

Tks

Originally Posted by scout1916 (Post 3293923)

you are right, our SG flag cannot go down, we did die also must drink to the end but very telok...:p

Originally Posted by casannova03 (Post 3294967)

Wa you really din go down ah?? you strong la ...hahaha

I was drinking with my father in law and his drinking buddies and my wife's brothers...wa lan eh....drink their viet liquor...knn....everyone drink neat one so bo bian must follow...after 7-8 rounds I buay ta-han liao...whole body like on fire!!!!:eek: Then lucky my wife see i cannot already find excuse ask me go help her do things!!!...............

Originally Posted by casannova03 (Post 3298535)

For malaysia side, not a problem cos vietnamese do not need visas. Most important thing is her air ticket.

Originally Posted by casannova03 (Post 3294967)

The next few times i go back i always try to siam the Viet liquor drinking session but will readily join in the beer drinking sessions....cos it seems their beer quite diluted..no kick compared to sg beer...hahah

Originally Posted by technofreak (Post 3295755)

Originally Posted by Thom07 (Post 3298175)

It is time as carrot is mocking me already. :( Where? ;)

Originally Posted by technofreak (Post 3298123)

I never heard of air-conditioners in hotels in Dalat...Do you? :confused:

Yes you should...Improves bonking life too. You would be amazed by the increased stamina you could have. :eek: Tomorrow? :)