Housekeeper Steals Foreign Currency From Russian Couple in Ho Chi Minh City, Police Recover Cash

Police in Ho Chi Minh City have recovered a large sum of stolen foreign currency and returned it to a Russian couple after a domestic helper admitted to theft at a high end apartment in the city’s southern suburbs.

The case, though small in scale, has resonated among expatriates and foreign residents, highlighting both the risks of in home theft and the speed of local police response.

What happened

According to police in Nha Be, the theft occurred at a residence in the South Saigon housing area. On January 1, a Russian national, Ulyakhin Sergey, reported that multiple currencies had gone missing from his apartment.

The stolen amount included more than US$1,500, €450, 22,000 Thai baht, and 1,800 Chinese yuan, a mix commonly held by expatriates who travel frequently in the region.

Investigation points to housekeeper

Local police quickly focused on Nguyen Thi Ngoc Thanh, a 41 year old housekeeper hired to clean the apartment. Investigators said she showed signs of nervous behavior during questioning.

When summoned for further questioning, Thanh admitted to taking the money. She told police that while cleaning the bedroom, she noticed a large amount of foreign currency belonging to the homeowner’s wife and decided to steal it.

Exchanged at gold shop

Police said Thanh kept US$1,200 in cash and took the remaining foreign currency to a local gold shop, where she exchanged it for nearly VND 50 million, roughly US$2,000, which she then spent for personal use.

Authorities recovered the stolen funds and formally returned them to the victims on January 9.

A reassuring outcome for expatriates

After receiving their money back, the Russian couple expressed relief and thanked local police for their efficiency.

For international residents, the case underscores two realities of life in Vietnam’s major cities. Domestic help is widely used and generally trusted, but safeguards remain important. At the same time, local police are often responsive in cases involving foreign victims, particularly when evidence is clear and cooperation is swift.

In a city that hosts a growing expatriate community, the incident serves as a reminder to remain cautious while also reinforcing confidence in local law enforcement when problems arise.