Two foreigners scammed a gold shop in Pleiku city last Tuesday, stealing 15 ounces apparently by using some sleight of hand.
Cuc, the shop owner, said two well-dressed foreigners, who introduced themselves as Turks travelling in Vietnam, came to her shop at 9am on November 1 and asked to buy 15 taels (1 tael = 37.5 grams) of SJC gold bullion.
They said they did not have enough money and had to withdraw cash from an ATM.
They gave her VND80 million, put the gold in a paper bag which they put in a box and locked the box and gave it to Cuc.
But they did not return for a long time.
After waiting until 2pm Cuc called a locksmith to break open the box and discovered there were only some lead pieces inside.
She complained to the police who are investigating.
Cuc had been lulled by the fact the two men had done a similar thing a few days earlier.
They had asked to buy five taels, put it in the box, and handed her the key.
They went to withdraw money and came back after an hour looking angry, saying they could only get VND100 million and could buy just two ounces.
When they unlocked the box, the gold was still there, and they paid Cuc for the two ounces.
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