Ho Chi Minh City Police's investigative agency launched an investigation into property fraud on 1/12. Authorities are examining the actions of Le Van Hoang, 56, and his accomplices concerning the alleged appropriation of nearly 6,500 square meters of land in Tan Khanh ward, previously part of Tan Phuoc Khanh ward in Tan Uyen City, Binh Duong.

The decision follows a request for criminal prosecution from the Tan Uyen City People's Court in Binh Duong province, which is now the District 17 People's Court in Ho Chi Minh City.

Years earlier, Truong Minh Ky, 56, accused Hoang and Nguyen Thi Ut, 49, of illegally taking a 6,465 square meter plot of land in Tan Khanh ward.

Ky stated that the Tan Uyen District People's Committee issued him a land use rights certificate for the plot in 1999. This ownership was confirmed by administrative rulings from both the Binh Duong Provincial People's Court and the Ho Chi Minh City High People's Court. Despite this, from 2017, Hoang and Ut allegedly occupied the land, divided it into plots, and illegally transferred ownership. Ky then filed a lawsuit.

In 12/2019, the Tan Uyen Town People's Court issued an urgent temporary order prohibiting any changes to the land's status, yet construction proceeded rapidly. By 11/2023, the disputed land had become a makeshift residential area with 48 unauthorized buildings on agricultural land.

At the first-instance trial on 23/7, the Tan Uyen City People's Court ruled in favor of Ky, ordering the defendants to demolish the structures and return the land. This ruling prompted the court to recommend criminal prosecution to the investigative agency, citing evidence of a crime.

Following the administrative restructuring of provinces and cities, the Ho Chi Minh City Police assumed jurisdiction and has now initiated legal proceedings.

Phuoc Tuan