2nd arrest in Montgomery County journey rip-off case as prosecutors search extra victims | Action News Troubleshooters

SOUDERTON, Pa. (WPVI) — A second individual has been arrested in reference to an alleged journey rip-off that authorities say focused clients throughout the nation, together with many within the Vietnamese neighborhood.

Hien Thanh Nguyen, of Souderton, Montgomery County, is scheduled to look in court docket subsequent week after being charged within the case involving a journey company she allegedly operated along with her son, William Nguyen.

Hien Thanh Nguyen is charged with theft by deception, theft by failing to make required deposit of funds, and misleading enterprise practices. Her preliminary listening to is scheduled for subsequent Wednesday.

The Action News Troubleshooters first reported on the allegations in December 2024. Consumers accused the company of taking 1000’s of {dollars} for travel-related companies that have been by no means offered.

Chloe Tran traveled from Cincinnati, Ohio, to attend William Nguyen’s preliminary listening to in May.

“For me it’s around $3,000 that was lost and I couldn’t care less about that money anymore. It’s been so long ago. I think it’s more about to really get the justice back,” Tran mentioned.

Tran and different clients allege that Hien Thanh Nguyen constructed belief with purchasers earlier than taking cash for airline tickets and journey paperwork that by no means materialized.

RELATED: Warning about journey rip-off allegedly concentrating on Asian neighborhood | Troubleshooters

Among those that attended William Nguyen’s listening to have been Royal Chatman and his spouse, Ny Ha, who traveled from Mississippi to Philadelphia. Chatman mentioned the couple paid the company $17,600 for visas and round-trip flights to Vietnam, however the journey by no means occurred.

“What brought us all together in the courage and strength was is that we want to see justice, not only for the ones that’s here. They’re still unspoken ones,” Chatman mentioned.

He added, “It wasn’t just money. They lost time. They lost family. They lost friends because of somebody that took advantage of making money.”

The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office mentioned it believes extra victims could exist and is encouraging them to return ahead.

“At least we get to try and give them the chance to be heard in the court and to tell their side what happened to them,” Assistant District Attorney Christian Taffe mentioned.

People searching for extra info or wishing to contact investigators can attain the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office through its website.

In response to questions from the Action News Troubleshooters in 2024, the journey company acknowledged, “We always put the benefit of our customers first. If there are any errors, we accept all legal responsibilities…”