Two Vietnamese Men Re-Arrested Over Concealing 7.67 Million Yen in Burglary Proceeds; Ring Tied to 111 Break-Ins Worth 47.8 Million Yen Across Five Kanto Prefectures
This article organizes publicly available information into a single account. Where it describes an arrest or an ongoing investigation, that reflects only one stage of criminal procedure and does not mean guilt has been established (the presumption of innocence applies). We will update this article as new information becomes available, including the outcome of prosecution, non-prosecution, or trial. This article is not intended to unfairly disparage any individual, group, nationality, ethnicity, or belief, and aims to provide objective, fact-based information.
Saitama Prefectural Police announced on July 29, 2026 that it had re-arrested Pham Hong Bich, 26, and Nguyen Ngoc Viet, 27, both Vietnamese nationals, on suspicion of violating the Act on Punishment of Organized Crimes. According to reports by NTV News NNN and other outlets, they are accused of hiding approximately 7,671,400 yen at an apartment leased by another Vietnamese man in November of the previous year, consisting of cash obtained through burglaries and proceeds from selling stolen jewelry. The seized items reportedly included old-style 100-yen notes.
The 11-member Vietnamese theft ring the two are believed to belong to is suspected of carrying out 111 burglaries across five Kanto prefectures, including Saitama and Chiba, with total damages estimated at approximately 47.8 million yen.
Current status: Whether the two admit to the allegations and the status of the broader crackdown on the theft ring remain unclear as of this writing. This article will be updated as further details emerge.
Editorial Perspective
No decision on indictment has been made at this stage, so this article reflects information from the investigative phase. An arrest is only one step in criminal procedure and does not establish guilt (the presumption of innocence). According to National Police Agency and Ministry of Justice statistics, the number of Penal Code cases involving foreign nationals visiting Japan has risen for two consecutive years since 2023, but remains below its mid-2000s peak (related article). A single case does not necessarily reflect the broader statistical trend; further developments are worth watching.