Two young men who left Samoa last Thursday have been filmed making public confessions to being hired to travel to Vietnam and commit murder on two named victims.
The two boys, identified as Steve Tafia, 23, and Vaa Joseph Vaa, 27, have admitted to being hired, and sent from Samoa to Vietnam to seek out two men.
They say they were hired to commit murder on Lemalu Lorenzo Tovia and Sauni Sam.
Leader of the Coconut Cartel, Lemalu Lorenzo, was killed, while the second victim was injured in a shooting that has since gone viral on social media from CCTV footage.
The boys both worked for Unalei Rentals in Vailoa, and are said to have departed Samoa on Thursday last week. A Manager of Unalei Rentals named Connor was seen at Faleolo airport seeing the two boys off.
Arrested by Vietnam police, Vaa and Steve are filmed by Police confessing to the crime, in statements that seem to have been written for them.
Steve says he was hired with Vaa to go to Vietnam and look for two victims named Lemalu Lorenzo Tovia and Sauni Sam.
“Although I had planned to flee Vietnam immediately after committing the crime, it is true that escaping from the Vietnamese police was impossible and I accept responsibility..” says Steve.
“I would like to advise anyone who intends to come to Vietnam to commit crimes to abandon that idea immediately because you will be arrested by the Vietnamese police..”
Vaa Vaa then admits to the crime of murder in a publicly shared video.
“I came to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and used the gun to commit murder.”
“And I was the person who directly used the gun to shoot and kill someone on May 21st, 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City.”
“After committing the crime, I was arrested by the Vietnamese police.”
“I realized that my actions were wrong and I deeply regret what I have done.”
Many Samoans in Samoa and around the world have posted sharing concerns for Steve and Vaa’s safety.
Vaa says he is being treated well by Vietnam police.
“The Vietnamese police have also treated me kindly and provided me with food and drink to ensure that I remain in good health.”
Questions are being raised as to how these two Samoan youth, working at a car rental, could have become drawn into such serious organised crime.
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