Former criminal police deputy defrauds two fake milk companies of 3.5 billion VND in "case-fixing" scheme

Exposed for producing counterfeit milk for the elderly and pregnant women, two company owners sought to "fix" their legal issues, only to be defrauded of 3.5 billion VND by a former deputy head of the Vinh Phuc provincial police criminal investigation department.

This morning, Bui Quoc Hung, a former deputy head of the Vinh Phuc provincial police criminal investigation department, was put on trial by the People's Court for fraudulent appropriation of property.

In the same case, two "fake milk kingpins", Hoang Manh Ha and Vu Manh Cuong, owners of Rance Pharma and Hacofood respectively, were tried for producing and trading counterfeit food, violating accounting regulations causing serious consequences, and giving bribes.

Among the 26 other defendants is Bui Dinh Thi Dinh, a former head of the Hoa Binh provincial food safety and hygiene sub-department, who was prosecuted for receiving bribes.

The trial is expected to last seven days.

The indictment states that on 27/12/2024, the Environmental Crime Police Department (C05, Ministry of Public Security) inspected the warehouses and production facilities of the two companies, uncovering numerous violations and seizing milk products.

Fearing criminal prosecution, the two directors, Ha and Cuong, discussed finding connections to "fix the case" and divert it to administrative penalties. Through multiple intermediaries, the two businessmen connected with Hung, who agreed to help.

During the "case-fixing" process, Hung only met with authorized personnel at C05 to inquire about information, without actually exerting any influence.

However, the 45-year-old police officer twice received a total of 100 million VND and 140,000 USD from various intermediaries. All payments were in cash, contained in paper bags.

When summoned by the investigative police agency of the Ministry of Public Security, Hung secretly returned 100 million VND to an intermediary, instructing them not to disclose the incident.

According to investigators, Hung spent all the money himself, without "asking anyone for help." Hung also vaguely claimed that the 140,000 USD was in his personal car but had been lost.

Based on the testimonies of the intermediary links, the results of the investigation, and the collected data, the prosecuting agency believes there is sufficient evidence to charge Hung with fraudulent appropriation of property.

187,000 cans of counterfeit milk for pregnant women and the elderly

Defendant Hoang Manh Ha in court. *Photo: Danh Lam*

The Procuracy determined that from 2021-2025, to maximize profits, the two "fake milk kingpins" instructed employees to cut nutritional components, mix ingredients incorrectly, and replace them with cheaper raw materials.

Essential micronutrients were reduced and replaced with multivitamin or Cuvamix blends. The actual content of many ingredients during production was also intentionally and significantly lowered.

Forensic examination results from the Ministry of Public Security's Criminal Science Institute on all 426 product samples seized at the factory concluded that 100% of the samples were counterfeit. This was because many core nutritional quality indicators had actual content below 70% of the standard stated on the packaging.

The total amount of counterfeit products was 187,025 boxes, corresponding to 255 product brands, with a market value reaching 54.3 billion VND.

The two businesses were also found to have established two accounting systems. This resulted in revenues exceeding 1,177 billion VND being reported as only 115 billion VND, causing a tax loss of over 100 billion VND.

Licensing "greasing" network

According to the prosecuting agency, for the chain of violations to proceed smoothly over a long period, the two business owners manipulated regulatory agencies with money. The bribe amount was set at 5-7 million VND for each product announcement dossier.

Defendant Bui Thi Trang, a specialist at the Hoa Binh provincial food safety and hygiene sub-department, was accused of receiving a total of 2.48 billion VND, then transferring 2.178 billion VND to sub-department head Bui Dinh Thi Dinh. Ms. Trang retained 302 million VND to fast-track 340 dossiers for the fake milk companies.