Five Chinese nationals detained over fake monk scam targeting foreign tourists in Ho Chi Minh City

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam – Five Chinese nationals allegedly posing as Buddhist monks have been detained for questioning after reportedly approaching international tourists and asking them for money around Ben Thanh Market, with the case coming to light after information circulated on social media about a group of foreigners wearing monk robes and walking near streets in the popular tourist area. The middle-aged men were seen carrying shoulder bags, Buddhist alms bowls, prayer beads, and other religious-looking items, and allegedly approached tourists by shaking their hands and putting their palms together in a gesture of respect before tying a red string around a tourist's wrist and giving them a bracelet.

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The suspects would then signal that the tourist should give them money, either by pointing at their pocket or showing the alms bowl containing a 100,000 Vietnamese dong banknote, and when some visitors offered smaller amounts, the men allegedly appeared dissatisfied and repeatedly pointed to the larger note in the bowl, indicating they expected a greater sum. Within less than an hour, one of the men approached dozens of tourists, most of them foreigners, on several streets around central Ho Chi Minh City frequented by large numbers of international visitors.

On the evening of August 18, police from Ben Thanh and Binh Phu wards jointly inspected a hotel in Binh Phu Ward after receiving information about the case and found five Chinese nationals allegedly connected to the scheme, seizing several sets of Buddhist monk robes and religious items including prayer beads, bracelets, and Buddha pendants from their luggage. The five were taken to Ben Thanh police station for questioning, with rapid drug tests on all returning negative results, as police work with units of the Ho Chi Minh City Police to determine the group's activities and intentions and take appropriate action in accordance with the law.

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Police have urged residents and tourists to remain vigilant about people who may use religious clothing or imagery to approach visitors, sell goods, or ask for money in public places, advising them not to buy goods or hand over money without clearly understanding why they are being asked to pay and to notify local police if they encounter people apparently exploiting religious attire to solicit or engage in activities that could affect public order. Ho Chi Minh City Police said timely detection and verification of such activities would help maintain a safe, civilized, and welcoming tourism environment and protect the city's image among residents and international visitors.