On 15/12, Nguyen Huu Hung, 46, a fugitive wanted for defrauding nearly 7 billion VND, was apprehended by police in TP HCM. He was discovered hiding at a pagoda in Nhon Trach commune. The arrest followed extensive reconnaissance and coordination with Nhon Trach Commune Police in TP HCM. On 16/12, the Da Nang City Economic Police Department announced Hung's transfer to the locality for investigation into charges including document forgery, using forged documents, and property misappropriation.

Suspect Nguyen Huu Hung. *Photo: Tu Anh*

According to official records, a special dangerous arrest warrant for Hung was issued on 11/1/2023 by the former Quang Nam Provincial Police. Investigators determined that in 2021, Hung impersonated the Deputy Director of Hung Nguyen Company. He forged the director's signature on a power of attorney to secure a construction material sales contract with a business. Through this scheme, Hung misappropriated materials valued at nearly 2,7 billion VND and still owes over 880 million VND.

Hung used these misappropriated materials for a project in Phu Ninh district, Quang Nam. After receiving an advance of nearly 4 billion VND from the investor, Hung abandoned the construction, breached the contract, and fled. The total amount Hung defrauded through these ventures is estimated at nearly 7 billion VND. Forensic conclusions confirmed that the signatures on the powers of attorney Hung used were all forged.

While on the run, Hung repeatedly changed his name, moved through many localities, and chose religious establishments in the South as his hiding places.

Ngoc Truong