$1 Million FBI Reward Announced in Search for Philadelphia Murder Suspect Trung Duc Lu
Trung Duc Lu Added to FBI Ten Most Wanted List
Trung Duc Lu is wanted in connection with the torture, kidnapping, and murder of two Vietnamese brothers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in August 2014. A third man was also kidnapped and tortured during the attack but survived. Lu has remained outside law-enforcement custody for years, and the FBI is now offering a reward of up to $1 million for information leading directly to his arrest.
On March 11, 2026, the FBI added Lu to its Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, making him the 539th person placed on the list since the program was established in 1950. His addition brought renewed national and international attention to a case that dates back more than a decade.
The FBI warns that Lu should be considered armed and dangerous and an international flight risk. He was last confirmed to be in Vietnam, although authorities continue seeking information that could establish his current location.
August 2014 Philadelphia Kidnappings and Murders
The federal case against Lu stems from events that occurred in Philadelphia in August 2014. According to the FBI, two Vietnamese brothers were tortured, kidnapped, and murdered. A third male victim was also tortured and kidnapped but managed to survive the attack.
The FBI has stated that the two brothers had been involved in drug dealing in Philadelphia. Lu is accused of participating in the violent crimes against the three men, resulting in an investigation that eventually produced a wide range of federal charges involving kidnapping, racketeering-related activity, extortionate debt collection, and drug distribution.
The surviving victim became an important part of a case involving three kidnapping counts. Lu has not been convicted of the charges, and the accusations against him remain allegations unless and until they are established through the judicial process.
Federal Charges Filed Against Lu
On July 10, 2019, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Lu by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. The warrant followed federal charges connected with the 2014 crimes.
Lu was charged with conspiracy to commit kidnapping, three counts of kidnapping, interstate travel in aid of racketeering, conspiracy to collect an extension of credit by extortionate means, collection of an extension of credit by extortionate means, conspiracy to distribute marijuana, and aiding and abetting.
The variety of charges reflects the broader circumstances federal investigators allege surrounded the kidnappings and murders. Authorities continue seeking Lu so he can be brought before the federal court and the charges can proceed through the judicial system.
Suspected Born to Kill Gang Member
The FBI identifies Lu as a suspected member of the Born to Kill street gang, also known as BTK or the Canal Boys. His suspected gang connections are among the details federal investigators have highlighted while seeking information about his whereabouts.
The Born to Kill connection may also be relevant to individuals who knew Lu while he lived in the United States. Former associates, acquaintances, coworkers, neighbors, or others familiar with his activities could potentially possess information useful to investigators, even if their interactions with him occurred many years ago.
Information about people Lu maintained contact with before or after the 2014 crimes could help authorities reconstruct his movements. Investigators may also be interested in individuals who assisted him with travel, housing, employment, finances, or other arrangements after he became wanted.
Born in Vietnam and Raised in the United States
According to the FBI, Lu was born in Vietnam and moved to the United States when he was a teenager. He developed strong ties to New York City and previously lived in Queens.
Those New York connections are significant to the fugitive investigation because individuals who knew Lu in Queens or elsewhere in New York may have information about his relationships, employment, travel patterns, or other contacts. Historical information can remain useful in a long-running fugitive investigation because it may identify associates who continued communicating with the wanted individual.
The FBI lists Lu as a Vietnamese national who speaks both English and Vietnamese. His ability to communicate in both languages and his connections in the United States and Vietnam are among the factors investigators may consider when attempting to establish where he has lived since leaving the United States.
Last Confirmed in Vietnam
The FBI states that Lu was last confirmed to be in Vietnam. His possible presence there gives the fugitive investigation an international dimension and is one reason the Bureau classifies him as an international flight risk.
Authorities have not publicly established his current location. Because many years have passed since the crimes and the issuance of the federal warrant, investigators must consider the possibility that Lu has moved between locations or changed aspects of his identity and appearance.
People in Vietnam who recognize Lu or any of his known aliases could potentially possess valuable information. Details concerning previous residences, employment, telephone numbers, associates, vehicles, travel, or financial activity could help investigators establish a more recent timeline of his movements.
FBI Description of Trung Duc Lu
The FBI describes Lu as an Asian male with black hair and brown eyes. He is approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall and has been listed at approximately 140 pounds. His occupation is listed as nail technician.
The Bureau lists multiple dates of birth associated with Lu, including October 1, 1980; December 2, 1979; December 9, 1979; November 13, 1980; October 1, 1981; and October 10, 1982. His birthplace is listed as Vietnam.
Because Lu has remained wanted for years, his current weight, hairstyle, facial hair, and other aspects of his appearance may differ from photographs released by authorities. The FBI has therefore provided additional identifying characteristics that could help distinguish him.
Distinctive Tattoos Could Help Identify Lu
Lu has numerous tattoos that may provide some of the strongest physical identifiers available to investigators. According to the FBI, he has a large dragon tattoo in the center of his back with the words “Asian Pride” written in large script above it.
The FBI also reports a tattoo over his left pectoral area. Both of his upper arms are heavily tattooed, including designs featuring a dragon and claw as well as a tiger.
These tattoos could remain recognizable even if Lu has substantially changed his hairstyle, weight, facial hair, or clothing. The FBI has released photographs showing some of the tattoos as part of its effort to generate leads from members of the public.
Numerous Aliases Used by Lu
The FBI lists numerous aliases associated with Lu, an important consideration in an investigation involving a fugitive who may be outside the United States. The names include Trung D. Lu, Tuan Hoang, Phong Le, Phong Van Le, Brendan Lu, Calvin Lu, Trung Lu, Duc Trung, Duc L. Trung, Lu Trung, and “B.”
The number of known aliases means individuals may have encountered Lu without knowing him by the name appearing on the federal arrest warrant. Someone who recognizes one of these names in connection with a person matching Lu’s description or tattoos could potentially have information relevant to the investigation.
Authorities may also be interested in other names or identities Lu has used that are not currently known publicly. Information involving identification documents, employment records, travel arrangements, telephone accounts, social media profiles, or other identities connected to him should be reported to investigators.
Strong Ties to Queens, New York
Before becoming a fugitive, Lu had strong connections to New York City and lived in the borough of Queens. His history in the area may provide investigators with potential leads involving former associates and contacts.
People who knew Lu through work, neighborhoods, social relationships, or other activities in Queens could possess information about his movements after the Philadelphia crimes. Even if someone has not communicated with Lu recently, information about relatives, close associates, or locations he previously frequented could potentially help investigators identify newer connections.
Because the case has remained unresolved for more than a decade, investigators may rely on both recent tips and older information to build a more complete picture of Lu’s movements between the United States and Vietnam.
FBI Warns Lu Is Armed and Dangerous
The FBI warns that Trung Duc Lu should be considered armed and dangerous. The Bureau also identifies him as an international flight risk.
Anyone who believes they recognize Lu should not approach, confront, follow, detain, or attempt to apprehend him. A possible sighting should instead be reported to appropriate law-enforcement authorities so trained personnel can investigate.
Individuals providing information should include as much specific detail as possible, such as the location and time of a sighting, vehicles involved, associates, addresses, telephone information, or other identifying characteristics. Details concerning his tattoos or known aliases could also help investigators evaluate a potential lead.
FBI Philadelphia Leads the Fugitive Investigation
The FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office is responsible for Lu’s wanted case. The Bureau has increased publicity surrounding the investigation following his addition to the Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.
The FBI has also made wanted information available in both English and Vietnamese, reflecting Lu’s background and the possibility that information concerning his whereabouts may come from individuals in Vietnam or Vietnamese communities elsewhere.
His addition to the Ten Most Wanted list represents a significant escalation in public outreach surrounding the case. The list is designed to use widespread public attention to generate information concerning fugitives accused of serious crimes who have proven particularly difficult to locate.
539th Person Added to Ten Most Wanted Fugitives
Lu became the 539th person added to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list on March 11, 2026. His placement followed years of investigation into his whereabouts and the outstanding federal charges stemming from the 2014 Philadelphia case.
The Ten Most Wanted program has operated since March 1950 and has historically relied heavily on public assistance. Photographs, physical descriptions, aliases, rewards, and other identifying information are widely distributed so people who encounter a fugitive can recognize the individual and contact authorities.
Lu remains on the list as federal investigators continue searching for information capable of locating and apprehending him.
$1 Million Reward for Information Leading to Arrest
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $1 million for information leading directly to the arrest of Trung Duc Lu. The reward represents a substantial incentive for information capable of resolving the longstanding fugitive investigation.
Authorities are interested in information concerning Lu’s current location as well as information that could establish where he has previously lived, traveled, or worked. Details concerning associates, aliases, employment, vehicles, communications, or other connections could potentially contribute to the investigation.
Anyone with information concerning Lu can contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324). Information may also be submitted through the FBI’s online tip system. People outside the United States can contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
Search for Trung Duc Lu Continues
More than a decade after the 2014 Philadelphia killings, federal authorities continue searching for Lu. His suspected ties to the Born to Kill street gang, longstanding connections to Queens, numerous aliases, distinctive tattoos, and last confirmed location in Vietnam provide investigators and the public with several potential means of identifying him.
Even information about Lu from years ago could potentially help authorities establish how he traveled, who assisted him, or where he maintained connections after leaving the United States. The FBI continues encouraging anyone with credible information to report it rather than attempting to investigate or confront Lu independently.
With Lu now among the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives and a reward of up to $1 million available, authorities are seeking renewed public assistance in locating him and bringing the federal case back before the courts.
Sources
FBI — Trung Duc Lu Ten Most Wanted Profile
FBI Philadelphia — Trung Duc Lu Added to Ten Most Wanted Fugitives
