On 3/7, Hieu, 44, a resident of Bac Hong ward, Hong Linh town, and Dang Thanh Vinh, a resident of Hanoi, were arrested and charged with fraud and embezzlement under Article 174 of the penal code by Ha Tinh provincial police.
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Suspect Hieu (far right) listens as the investigating agency reads the indictment. Photo: Police provided |
Suspect Hieu (far right) listens as the investigating agency reads the indictment. Photo: Police provided
Hieu is a reporter and head of the North Central region office for a trade and services magazine. He and Vinh offered to help a resident of Can Loc commune secure a permit to convert their garden land in Gia Hanh commune into a mining operation.
Authorities allege Hieu then used the magazine's name to sign a "funding and processing contract," receiving 1.2 billion VND. After failing to secure the permit, Hieu refused to refund the money and threatened the victim.
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Suspect Vinh (center) at the investigation agency. Photo: Police provided |
Suspect Vinh (center) at the investigation agency. Photo: Police provided
Following a complaint, Ha Tinh provincial police's security investigation agency arrested Hieu and Vinh.
Hieu is also charged with using counterfeit documents of an agency or organization under Article 341 of the penal code. However, the police have not yet released details about this offense.
Ha Tinh provincial police urge anyone who believes they have been victimized by Hieu and Vinh to contact investigators.
Duc Hung
