Update on alleged travel scam targeting Vietnamese community nationwide | Troubleshooters

SOUDERTON, Pa. (WPVI) -- We have an update on an alleged nationwide travel scam out of Montgomery County.

Back in 2024, the Troubleshooters warned you about a the travel agency, and now the wheels of justice are turning. This week one of the operators appeared in court.

William Nguyen appeared in court for his preliminary hearing.

RELATED: Warning about travel scam allegedly targeting Asian community | Troubleshooters

He and Hien T. Nguyen are accused of targeting people in their own Vietnamese community.

Consumers say William Nguyen is Hien T. Nguyen's son. They say the duo built their trust then took their money for plane tickets and travel documents they didn't provide.

The Troubleshooters were at court and asked William Nguyen if he had anything to say to his alleged victims and he said no.

Nguyen is charged with stealing a total of more than $50,000 from at least a dozen customers who paid for travel arrangements to Vietnam that never materialized.

"People really dropped everything, like from their jobs, to be here today," said Chloe Tran of Cincinnati, Ohio.

She and other alleged victims flew in from all over the country to have their day in court.

Tran says they came from states including Tennessee, Oklahoma, New Jersey, Florida, and Michigan, to get justice.

Royal Chatman and Ny Ha say they're owed more than $15,000 and flew in from Mississippi.

"We're not victims anymore. We are voices that came together to see that nobody else, from this country, from another state, nobody else becomes a victim," Chatman said.

This day has been years in the making. The Troubleshooters warned you about Xuat Canh My, the travel agency operated in Souderton, Pennsylvania by Hien T. and William Nguyen, in 2024.

Hien T Nguyen has not been charged.

William Nguyen waived his preliminary hearing this week and pleaded not guilty to charges that include theft by deception and deceptive business practices.

"By waiving today, that goes to show that there was enough evidence for this case to move forward, and that this is an individual involved in what was a scam that affected many people," said Christian Taffe, Assistant District Attorney of the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office.

The criminal complaint says Hien T. Nguyen communicated with customers who, then at times, made payments to William Nguyen via personal checks and Zelle.

"I'm proud of all of us for making it this far," said Tran.

The consumers also hope they inspire other victims to come forward.

"Through this, (we hope) more people would feel more encouraged and empowered to speak up to help with this case as well," said Tran.

The Troubleshooters reached out to the travel agency for our first story. At the time, a spokesperson said, "We always put the benefit of our customers first. If there are any errors, we accept all legal responsibilities..."

The DA's office says the investigation is continuing. If you have any information, please contact them.

Community nonprofit Vietgroup Empowers helped bring the consumers together and alert the Troubleshooters as well as authorities.