The prime suspect in the kidnapping of two young Vietnamese-American girls in Ho Chi Minh City last week has claimed that the victims’ father was behind the entire scheme.

Officers from the municipal Department of Police are working with relevant individuals to verify details in the abduction of the two children.

Six-year-old T.H.B.N. and eight-year-old T.H.M.A. were kidnapped on Wednesday last week.

Following the report of Tran Hoang, the girls’ father, police officers began probing the case and managed to rescue the victims on Friday evening.

Truong Huong, a 58-year-old Vietnamese-American woman who is also one of Hoang’s best friends, was apprehended as the prime suspect.

At the police station, Huong admitted she had been in charge of carrying out the abduction, but insisted that she was just following Hoang’s directions.

According to her statements, Huong is a family member of Hoang’s girlfriend in the United States.

The woman often stays at Hoang’s house whenever she returns to Vietnam and has eventually become very close to the family, including the two girls.

Huong added that he had been suspected of kidnapping the child of her boyfriend in the United States but local authorities have yet to reach their conclusion.

During her recent stay with Hoang’s family in Ho Chi Minh City, the man suggested that she help him set up the kidnap and ask for a ransom from his mother, or the girls’ grandmother, Huong claimed.

The two victims after being rescued by police officers. Photo: Tuoi Tre

The money would be used for Hoang’s personal spending, the woman added.

Following Hoang’s directions, Huong rented a house in Binh Tan District, and talked 15-year-old Lam Thi Phuong Dung, the family’s maid, into helping her with the scheme.

On the day of the abduction, Huong hired a motorbike taxi driver to carry the two girls, as well as Dung, to the tenanted house.

At the venue, Huong recorded two videos of the children as proof and sent them to the grandmother to ask for a ransom of US$50,000.

According to an investigator, officers are still probing the case as there are several contradictions in Huong’s statements.

There is no sign showing that Hoang is in need of such a large amount of money, as he is not an addict or heavily indebted, the officer elaborated.

Hoang’s mother also affirmed that the man is financially independent, adding she would be willing to help her son if he needs money.

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