Former 'rich' kid gets 10 years in jail for stealing Tiffany jewelry, Hermes wallets from HCMC mall

A man who posed as a wealthy shopper to steal luxury jewelry and fashion items valued at nearly VND3 billion (approximately US$38,420) from two high-end stores in downtown Ho Chi Minh City has been sentenced to 10 years behind bars.

The Ho Chi Minh City People's Court on Thursday found Phan Van Chien, 33, guilty of theft after a string of calculated shoplifting incidents earlier this year. The court noted that while Chien had a history of theft, he received a reduced sentence because he confessed honestly, returned all the stolen goods, and came from a family with historical contributions to the Vietnamese revolution.

In court, Chien admitted to his crimes and explained his motivations. He said he had grown up in a wealthy household and was accustomed to an extravagant lifestyle, regularly indulging in high-end shopping. However, after his family encountered financial hardship in early 2024, he resorted to theft to maintain that lifestyle and sell items for quick cash.

The first theft occurred on January 21, 2024, when Chien walked into the Tiffany & Co. store on Dong Khoi Street in District 1. Dressed elegantly to match the store’s clientele, he was invited into a VIP room, where staff presented him with several pieces of fine jewelry. Pretending to be a serious buyer, Chien distracted the staff with questions and, at the right moment, quietly slipped three diamond-studded bracelets worth VND2.6 billion into his bag. He then excused himself, claiming he needed to take a phone call, and quickly exited the store.

Just days later, Chien returned to the same shopping center, this time targeting the Hermès store. Using a similar tactic, he asked to view luxury wallets and purses and continued requesting more items to keep the staff busy. While they were distracted, he discreetly placed three wallets, collectively valued at VND450 million, into his bag. Again, he used the excuse of needing to take a phone call to make a quick getaway.

The thefts were eventually reported to the police in District 1, who reviewed surveillance footage from both incidents. Investigators identified Chien as the suspect and arrested him shortly afterward. The stolen goods were recovered at the time of his arrest.

Despite the premeditated nature of his crimes, Chien’s cooperation with authorities and the return of all stolen items factored into the court's decision to reduce his sentence to 10 years.