Vietnamese police have detained a Vietnamese-German man after catching him receiving money from his ex-girlfriend whom he had allegedly blackmailed with her sex photos.

Le Thanh Tuan, 47, of German nationality, has been arrested for an investigation into his alleged extortion, under the Vietnamese Penal Code, police in Dong Nai Province reported on Wednesday.

Tuan, temporarily residing in the province’s Bien Hoa City, began a sentimental relationship with N.T.U., 25, a local woman, in 2016 and they maintained their relation despite Tuan living in Germany, according to initial investigation.

During his time in Germany, Tuan repeatedly asked U. to send him her sexual photos via social networks, and saved those images on his cellphone.    

In 2019, when Tuan returned to Vietnam, he and his lover fell into conflicts that ruined their relationship, leading to their break-up a year later.

From October to December 5, 2021, Tuan repeatedly forced U. to return him an amount of VND900 million (US$37,640) that he previously gave her. 

He threatened his ex-girlfriend that he would disseminate her sex photos on social media if she failed to repay the amount to him.

After many negotiations, Tuan finally agreed to reduce his claim to VND600 million ($25,080) but he forced U. to pay him VND200 million ($8,360) in advance.

One evening, when Tuan met U. at a café in Bien Hoa, local police, previously given a tip-off, rushed to the scene and caught Tuan receiving the money from the young woman.

Police later executed a search warrant at Tuan’s rented home to serve their investigation, according to the Vietnam News Agency.  

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