Thuy Phan/Nguoi Viet Daily News
Santa Ana, CA– Investigators say a Buddhist monk who was under investigation for fraud died of an apparent suicide early Thursday morning. The Santa Ana Police Department said Dao Nguyen, 44, who is also known as Thich Nhuan Thu, was found dead around 9:15 AM on Thursday, March 26th at the Tu Nghiem Temple in Santa Ana.
Dao Nguyen. 44, died of an apparent suicide while being investigated for fraud. (Photo courtesy Santa Ana Police Department)
Detectives said Nguyen collected close to $97,000 for a congregational trip to Vietnam to visit Buddhist temples that was supposed to depart on March 2nd. On Feb. 28th, a fire broke out in Nguyen’s bedroom at the temple where passports and travel documents were destroyed. The Orange County Fire Authority responded to the fire and said they believe it was intentionally set, but are still investigating.
The day after the fire, officers were called to the temple after nearly 30 people gathered there to demand their money back from the monk. Members of the group alleged that Nguyen had defrauded them of thousands of dollars for the trip. Detectives have identified 34 victims of the fraud, each giving Nguyen between $1,000 to $7,700 as payment for the airline tickets and travel expenses.
Further investigations revealed no tickets were ever purchased. Nguyen claimed he paid an unidentified suspect in Vietnam to arrange the group’s lodging, transportation and meals while another additional suspect in the US was responsible for booking the airline tickets. This person allegedly delivered the tickets on Feb. 28th at the Tu Nghiem Temple, 5418 W. 4th St.on February 28th, just hours before the fire.
When the airline was contacted, it was determined no tickets have been sold in the names of the victims. Nguyen told investigators the airline tickets were fake and the money was stolen by an unidentified person who has not been located.
The investigation into the fraud continues and Nguyen is a “person of interest” in the theft of the money but detectives haven’t ruled out the possibility of others involved in this case. Detectives say they hope a look into bank, email and telephone records will identify the perpetrators.
Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Cpl. Shannon Rackley at (714) 245-8431.
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