On 8/9, Vuong Quoc Tuan, 45, a former police officer at Son Ky ward, Tan Phu district, was sentenced to 14 years in prison by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Court for fraud and embezzlement.

Defendant Vuong Quoc Tuan at the court today. Photo: Binh Nguyen

Defendant Vuong Quoc Tuan at the court today. Photo: Binh Nguyen

In early 2022, Tuan met Mr. Ty, a resident of District 6, who wanted to change the designated use of his land in Binh Chanh district to residential. During a meeting at Mr. Ty's house, Tuan boasted of his connections with local officials and promised to complete the procedures within 180 days. They signed an agreement for over 3.2 billion VND, to be paid in four installments, with the final payment due upon receipt of the land title.

Between April and July of 2022, Mr. Ty transferred over 2.6 billion VND to Tuan in three installments. The funds were supposedly for hiring a company to draw up a site map and to contact the Binh Chanh District Department of Natural Resources and Environment.

Later that year, under pressure from Mr. Ty, Tuan provided him with a land title certificate, but with the wrong name. When Mr. Ty discovered the discrepancy, Tuan retrieved the document, claiming it was an incomplete version and he would have it corrected. In early 2023, Tuan asked for an additional 430 million VND to "expedite the process."

Trusting Tuan, Mr. Ty transferred the money. However, months passed without any results. Tuan eventually admitted he couldn't fulfill his promise and pledged to return the money, but he continually evaded Mr. Ty. Mr. Ty then filed a complaint with the police.

In October 2024, Tuan was arrested and stripped of his title as a People's Police officer.

During the investigation and trial, Tuan confessed he had no authority or connections to facilitate the land-use change for Mr. Ty. He admitted to fabricating the information to obtain money for personal debts and expenses.

Tuan claimed he gave 150 million VND to a man named Tuan Anh to handle the land-use change procedures for Mr. Ty. He also stated that the fake land title certificate he showed Mr. Ty was provided by Tuan Anh.

However, investigators are still searching for Tuan Anh, who has not been found in the area.

Hai Duyen