Iranian man fakes purchase, steals cash at HCMC store

By Quoc Thang February 5, 2025 | 08:11 pm PT

Heshmati Norouz (L) reenacts the money theft scene at a police station in HCMC, February 2025. Photo by VnExpress/Nhat Vy

Ho Chi Minh City police have detained an Iranian man accused of faking a purchase and stealing VND20 million (US$794) from a badminton equipment shop.

Hesmati Norouz, 43, was taken into custody on Wednesday and is under investigation for theft, according to District 11 police.

Police said that on the evening of Feb. 2, Norouz visited a badminton shop on Lac Long Quan Street. After browsing the items, he spoke in English to a 23-year-old female staff member, expressing interest in buying a racket priced at VND1.3 million.

He handed over a US$100 bill and pointed to a stack of cash in the register, asking for change in Vietnamese dong.

As the clerk picked up the cash, Norouz allegedly snatched it, shuffled it around in his hands, and then handed it back. He left the store shortly after without completing the purchase. The staff later checked the cash register and discovered VND20 million missing.

District 11 police, in coordination with the HCMC Criminal Police Department, tracked down the suspect at an apartment in Tan Binh District.

Officers arrested Norouz and recovered the stolen money, which has since been returned to the shop.