Singer Dan Truong has accused A., a long-time fan, of repeatedly extorting him and his new wife of whopping sums of money on July 11.
According to Truong, who was hugely popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s and has led a scandal-free life so far, A. has been on friendly terms with him for several years and was one of his most enthusiastic fans in Australia.
A. had been financially and emotionally supportive of her idol through the years, including sending him valuable gifts, funding music videos, projects and costly tours abroad.
Specifically, from March to October 2012, A. gave Truong a total of almost US$20,000.
Truong admitted that he and A. were briefly on intimate terms before he broke up with her and remained her good friend until recently.
A. also confirmed in one of her text messages to Thuy Tien, Truong’s newly wed wife, that, they hadn’t done anything besides hugging.
As soon as Truong decided to marry Tien, a Vietnamese American businesswoman, A. began sending critical text messages to the couple, particularly during their wedding in the US in April.
Shortly after that, A. demanded that Truong pay her back US$30,000, which she had given him, within one week.
The couple paid A. back the sum within three weeks, before A. and her anonymous fiancé, demanded another US$25,000 as compensation for her neglecting her business and incurring losses and debts during the time she was in love with the singer.
To settle things and get ready for their wedding in Vietnam, the couple continued to transfer VND212 million (US$10,078) to A.’s family on July 2.
Before giving A. money the second time, Truong requested A. to list all of the specific sums and gifts A. had given him so that he could pay her back, but A. refused and continued sending the couple extortive, threatening and offensive messages, particularly during their wedding held in Ho Chi Minh City on July 9.
A. and her fiancé also threatened that they would say online that the singer had cheated her emotionally for money.
Truong’s show manager, Hoang Tuan, also provided papers proving the singer’s remittances to A. in Australia.
Tuan added that he would work with Truong’s lawyer if A. continues with the extortion.
The singer expressed his frustration and considered this a costly lesson for him and other singers in how to respond to fans’ admiration and love.