Vietnamese police have arrested three suspects who had allegedly blackmailing more than 100 officials at the offices of the local National Assembly delegations in multiple localities in an attempt to extort their money.

The latest suspect to be arrested, Tran Quang Nam, a 28-year-old resident in Ho Chi Minh City, was nabbed by officers under the Ministry of Public Security on Monday.

Officers previously apprehended Ngo Xuan Tung and Le Van Thanh, who are both 30 and residing in Ho Chi Minh City, on Friday last week for the same offense of threatening the officials via text messages.

Ngo Xuan Tung is held at the police station. Photo: Ministry of Public Security

Initial investigation showed that the three suspects had been working together to blackmail nearly 100 officials who work at offices of the local National Assembly delegations in various provinces and cities from north to south.

The localities include Hanoi, the north-central province of Ha Tinh, and the Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang.

All messages had the same content, stating that the victims would be “assassinated for VND100 million (US$4,305).”

Tran Quang Nam is held at the police station. Photo: Ministry of Public Security

“If you give me VND100 million, I will let you know who is trying to harm you, along with other evidence,” the SMS messages read.

The suspects also included their bank account number for the money transfer.

Following the arrest, officers also found a yearbook listing the names of members of the legislature, government, and local People’s Committees and People’s Councils for the 2016-21 tenure. The book is published by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

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