In recent times, there have been some daring bank robberies, with some unsuccessful attempts and many cases causing serious consequences and human damage.
Robbing with a best friend
Ha Vy Toan (born in 1990), Truong Minh Thien (born in 1989), and Truong Vinh Xuong (born in 1989) are close friends who decided to rob a bank together. On March 1, 2023, Thien, Xuong, and Toan went to the Sacombank branch on Tran Hung Dao Street (District 5, Ho Chi Minh City) to monitor potential targets who were withdrawing money.
As it was difficult to make a move at that time, the group changed its plan and headed to another Sacombank branch in District 8, knowing that the security guards were not equipped with guns. On March 3, 2023, Thien put a shotgun with rubber bullets in the front pocket of his shirt, with Xuong and Toan accompanying him.
Ha Vy Toan at the police station
Upon arrival, Thien parked the car on the side of the road and asked Xuong to keep an eye on it while he and Toan pretended to be bank customers. Later, Thien pulled out the gun and shouted, “Everyone stay still and give me your money.” Toan went inside the counter where the bank employees were working and looked around for money to take, but couldn’t find any.
Fearing capture, Thien and Toan threatened the security guards and ran outside to where Xuong was waiting with the car to escape. After running for a while, Thien told Toan to get in the car with Xuong while he escaped on his own. He threw away the black jacket he wore during the robbery and went back to his apartment in District 8 to monitor the situation. In the evening, Thien went out for drinks with his friends as if nothing had happened. Thien and Xuong were arrested by the police the next day, while Toan turned himself in after his accomplices were caught.
For their actions, at the end of January 2024, Truong Minh Thien and Ha Vy Toan were sentenced to 9 years in prison by the District 8 People’s Court, and Truong Vinh Xuong was sentenced to 8 years and 6 months in prison, all for the charge of “Robbery”.
Arrested at the airport after robbing Sacombank
One of the bank robbery cases that caused a stir was the incident at the Saigon Thuong Tin Commercial Bank (Sacombank) branch in Nhi Xuan on October 24, 2023.
Nguyen Ngoc My (born in 1993), Lam Phuc Loi (born in 2000), and Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen (born in 2001) met each other on social media. After some conversation, they discussed and planned to rob a bank together.
The My group being arrested right after the crime
This group purchased two homemade guns online and repainted a motorcycle black to use as their getaway vehicle. They also hired Tuyen to rent a car to assist them during the bank robbery and escape.
On the morning of October 24, 2023, Tuyen drove the car with My and Loi to the Nhi Xuan branch and observed the area, waiting for the right opportunity.
At around 10:30 AM on the same day, Loi and My approached the Nhi Xuan branch and used their guns to threaten and control the security guards, bank employees, and customers. At the same time, Loi entered the counter and used threats to force the bank employees to put money into a bag that he had prepared. After that, the suspects quickly fled the scene.
When they arrived near the Nhi Xuan reformation camp (in Xuan Thoi Son commune, Hoc Mon district), My and Loi used gasoline they had prepared in advance to set the motorcycle, clothes, and bag on fire in order to destroy evidence.
In the afternoon, the suspects took a taxi to Vung Tau city in Ba Ria – Vung Tau province to meet and divide the stolen money. After that, they continued to hide in different provinces and cities across the country.
The Ho Chi Minh City Police Department identified My as the ringleader and found that he received 1.5 billion VND, Loi received 1.3 billion VND, and Tuyen received 1 billion VND.
Loi was arrested while hiding in Long An province, Tuyen was arrested in Tan Phu district (Ho Chi Minh City), and My was caught at the Tan Son Nhat airport while he was preparing to leave the country.
Execution for killing a bank security guard
Due to the need for money, Nguyen Manh Cuong (born in 1998) and Tran Van Tri (born in 2001) decided to rob the BIDV Bank branch on Ngu Hanh Son street, Song Han branch (My An ward, Ngu Hanh Son district, Da Nang city). On the afternoon of November 22, 2023, Tri rushed in and threatened with a gun, while Cuong held a knife to the bank teller’s counter, forcing the staff to hand over the money.
As the bank employees and security guards tried to intervene, the two suspects were unable to take any valuables and decided to flee. Hearing the commotion, local residents and staff members toppled their motorbike and caught Tri.
The security guard, Mr. Tran Minh Thanh (born in 1973), pursued Cuong and was fatally stabbed by him on the way to the hospital. Cuong escaped but was later caught after about an hour.
For this crime, Nguyen Manh Cuong was sentenced to death by the Da Nang People’s Court, while Tran Van Tri was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Engaging in failed business, resorting to bank robbery
On February 8, the Lam Dong provincial police arrested Nguyen Thanh Trung (born in 1992) for committing a bank robbery at the Viettin Bank in Lien Nghia town.
Trung, who was engaged in unsuccessful land and real estate businesses, decided to rob a bank for money.
On February 7, Trung entered the bank with a gun, threatening and forcing the bank employees to put money into a bag for him. When the bank employees were slow to comply, the suspect climbed inside the counter and took several stacks of money and put them into the bag. Trung successfully stole more than 3 billion VND before fleeing to Binh Thuan where he was arrested.
Recommendation from the Ministry of Public Security
In response to the escalating and daring bank robberies, the Ministry of Public Security has suggested strengthening preventive measures. Business owners are advised to proactively install and expand high-quality camera systems to enhance security, control their premises, and maintain public order in their areas.
The State Bank of Vietnam should instruct the banking system and credit institutions to collaborate with the Ministry of Public Security to develop a comprehensive strategic plan to prevent bank-related crimes. Awareness training should be provided to bank employees and security personnel to enhance their skills in using support tools and handling suspicious situations effectively. Additionally, providing hotlines and emergency alert systems, connecting alarm systems from bank branches to the nearest police stations, is also crucial.
Regular inspections and reviews of crime prevention measures at bank branches and offices should be conducted to identify and address any limitations or weaknesses, ensuring that criminal activities related to banks are minimized. Timely coordination with local police forces to address and handle suspicious situations before any crimes occur is also important.
The Ministry of Information and Communications is urged to take steps to prevent and remove negative content, including online groups, that promote and incite bank robberies and property crimes.
