Man Arrested in Vietnam Casino After 24-Day Evasion Following South Korea Bank Robbery

Posted on: September 11, 2023, 07:55h. 

Last updated on: September 11, 2023, 03:53h.

Erik Gibbs Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Gaming Business, Global Gaming.

Police caught a man in a Vietnamese casino over the weekend after he evaded capture for 24 days. The suspect is accused of robbing a South Korean bank last month, according to South Korean news agency Korea JoonAng Daily.

Three armed mobile policemen on patrol in Vietnam
Three armed mobile policemen on patrol in Vietnam. Police in the country arrested a South Korean man in a casino who fled a bank robbery in that country last month. (Image: Thanh Nien media outlet)

The unidentified 47-year-old suspect allegedly stole around KRW39 million ($29,307) from a branch of the National Credit Union Federation of Korea in Daejeon.

During the heist, the suspect allegedly wore a black helmet, created a diversion with a fire extinguisher, and threatened a bank employee with a knife. He allegedly timed the robbery when minimal staff and no customers would be present. 

The suspect also had a well-planned escape route planned. He employed various modes of transportation, including two motorcycles to throw off his pursuers.

Police were able to identify the suspect through video footage, but learned the suspect likely fled the country shortly after the heist.

Authorities then turned to Interpol and authorities in Vietnam to try to pick up the trail.

Casino Sting

Ultimately, a tip from a South Korean citizen residing in Vietnam led to the suspect’s location at a casino.

The suspect was caught after a South Korean citizen residing in Vietnam alerted police that they had seen the suspect at a local casino several days prior. The South Korean had seen a notice for the suspect prior.

Police began a steak out of the casino and several days later, the suspect appeared. A coordinated effort involving the National Police Agencies of both South Korea and Vietnam, along with the assistance of Interpol, led to the capture of the man at a casino in Danang on a late Sunday evening.

Although authorities suspect that he had already spent the stolen money, he was found with KRW 2 million (US$1,504) worth of casino chips at the time of his capture.

He is currently awaiting xtradition to South Korea.