A woman has been arrested for offering free meals and drinks, possibly laced with sleeping pills, to people at a major bus station in Ho Chi Minh City, before stealing their belongings as they fell asleep.

The incident first occurred at the Mien Dong (Eastern) Bus Station in Binh Thanh District on February 19 and was caught on security cameras within the venue.

The suspect, who has been identified as 54-year-old Pham Thi Truc Tien, approached a woman named Mai Thi Hong, who was waiting for her coach to the south-central province of Ninh Thuan that day.

The two engaged in a conversation, before Tien offered Hong some foods and drinks.

The victim quickly fell asleep afterward, and Tien started rummaging through her bags and taking some valuable items.

Hong later woke up and discovered that she had lost two mobile phones and a handbag containing VND1.8 million (US$77), while Tien was nowhere to be found.

She reported the case to the bus station’s security guards.

Tien employed the same trick approaching Huynh Thi Tuyet Mai, a passenger heading to south-central Phu Yen Province, at the venue on Friday afternoon.

Pham Thi Truc Tien rummages through Huynh Thi Tuyet Mai’s belongings as she falls asleep.

The two talked and had lunch, before Mai fell asleep.

Security guards were able to spot Tien about two hours later and took her to their office.

They asked Mai to provide her statements. As she was still tired, the victim was brought to the hospital for a check-up.

Tien was then escorted to the police station in Binh Thanh, an officer confirmed on Saturday, adding that some empty sleeping pill capsules were found on her.

Tien is apprehended by security guards at the bus station.

During an interview with Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper at the hospital, Mai said she was diagnosed with “herbal sleeping pill overdose.”

“The woman [Tien] said she lives a harsh life as a worker, while her mother passed away a long time ago. We talked for a while and she had my sympathy and trust,” the vicitm recalled.

Tien then said she would buy some lunch for both of them, and returned with two boxes of rice and two glasses of sugarcane juice, Mai continued, adding she became dizzy and fatigued following the meal.

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