Man Arrested in Da Nang for Allegedly Defrauding Girlfriend of $55,000 for Gambling

Authorities in Da Nang have arrested Tran Van Truong Son, 24, on charges of fraud and gambling. Son is accused of deceiving his girlfriend, identified as L.T.H., into transferring over 1.4 billion Vietnamese dong (approximately $55,000 USD) through a series of fabricated stories and a facade of wealth.

Son reportedly met the victim through social media in mid-April 2026. After developing a romantic relationship, he began to exploit her trust. To create an illusion of success, Son rented a Hyundai SantaFe, presenting himself as a wealthy businessman. He then concocted various scenarios, such as needing a guarantor for a client's loan application or seeking investment for a restaurant, to persuade L.T.H. and her mother to repeatedly send him money.

During the period from early May until his arrest on June 27, Son allegedly amassed over 1.4 billion dong from the victim. Investigations revealed that Son was also heavily involved in online gambling, frequently playing "nổ hũ" (a type of slot machine game) and other games on various gambling websites. Between May 13 and June 25 alone, he reportedly placed bets totaling over 14 billion Vietnamese dong.

Son admitted to using the entirety of the defrauded funds for personal expenses and gambling. Authorities have seized an iPhone XS Max, the rented Hyundai vehicle, and related documents as evidence. The investigation is ongoing to uncover the full extent of his activities.