On 12/3, Tran Anh Duong, 46, residing in Thanh Xuan ward, was sentenced by the Ha Noi People's Court to 14 years in prison for fraudulent appropriation of property.

The People's Procuracy determined Duong had been unemployed since 10/2024 and was heavily indebted. He used this situation to spread false information, claiming connections with Honda motorbike company employees who could secure various models at below market prices.

To gain victims' trust, Duong would initially purchase Honda motorbikes from dealerships in Ha Noi at their listed prices. He then deliberately sold them to buyers at a loss, creating the illusion of a legitimate discount.

Convinced by these initial "deals," customers either referred friends or pooled large sums of money, entrusting Duong with bulk purchases. In the first 30 days of 2025, Duong defrauded 12 individuals of 2.5 billion VND.

Defendant Duong at the trial, 12/3. *Photo: Danh Lam*.

Authorities accused Duong of using the money for personal expenses instead of purchasing the promised motorbikes. To date, he has only repaid over one billion VND of the stolen funds.

One victim suffered the largest loss, 1.5 billion VND. Despite only a social acquaintance, this individual trusted Duong implicitly, foregoing a formal sales contract. Duong delivered the first 18 motorbikes as promised in 2/2025 and 3/2025. This built further trust, leading the victim to transfer an additional 1.5 billion VND for 72 more motorbikes, a sum Duong subsequently misappropriated.

Hai Thu