On 1/10, Dang Hoang Loi, 29, and Dang Hung Vuong, 30, both residing in Da Nang city, were arrested and temporarily detained by the Security Investigation Agency of Ha Tinh Provincial Police. They face charges of "fraudulent appropriation of property" under Article 174 of the Penal Code.

Suspect Loi at the investigation agency. Photo: Police provided

According to the investigation, several months prior, Loi and Vuong established two Facebook fanpages: "Truyen Thong Giao Xu Tho Vuc" and "Truyen thong giao xu Dong Hoa". These pages impersonated Tho Vuc Parish in Ha Linh commune, Ha Tinh province, and Dong Hoa Parish in Tan Tay commune, Tay Ninh province.

On these fanpages, Loi and Vuong are accused of posting articles, images, and information about the parishes' activities, while also impersonating parish priests to gain trust. They then called on the public and parishioners to contribute money for church construction.

To conceal their identities, Loi and Vuong acquired bank accounts and phone SIMs from other individuals online to receive the illicit funds. Upon receiving transfers, the group executed numerous transactions to obscure the money's origin, including purchasing phone scratch cards and engaging in cryptocurrency trading on international exchanges.

After transferring the money through multiple transactions, they moved the funds into their personal accounts and divided them for their own use.

Posts by Loi's group on the fake parish fanpage. Photo: Police provided

Based on complaints from victims, Loi and Vuong were arrested in early October. Authorities have not yet disclosed the total amount of money appropriated by the two suspects, but they have confirmed that thousands of people nationwide fell into the trap.

The case is currently under expanded investigation.

Duc Hung