On 17/9, Nam, Le Nam Trung, Le Tien Phong, and Vu Van Diep (aged 39-48, all residing in Hanoi and formerly employed at newspapers, magazines, and television stations) were prosecuted by An Giang Provincial Police for extortion.

Nam and Trung were remanded in custody, while Phong was released on bail. Diep is currently a fugitive.

Vu Van Nam (right) at the investigative agency. Photo: Tien Tam

The investigative agency alleges that in late 2021, the reporters learned that LHD Company was illegally subdividing and selling land in Phu Quoc. After discussion, Nam met with a company representative, threatening to expose the violations unless they paid 300 million VND. The company refused.

On 7/12/2021, Diep aired a report on VTC Digital Television highlighting the illegal land subdivision and sale in Phu Quoc, mentioning LHD Company. Dang Van Linh, a representative of LHD, subsequently met with Nam's group and gave them 500 million VND, promising three plots of land from the illegal project. Nam, Phong, and Diep then visited LHD's office to complete the paperwork for these plots.

In March 2022, Nam's group learned of a new LHD project and had Trung write an article about it. Nam then contacted Linh, demanding 400 million VND to stop the publication. The company agreed and transferred the money, which Nam split with Trung as agreed.

Le Nam Trung at the investigative agency. Photo: Tien Tam

In 4/2024, LHD Company's fraudulent project of illegally subdividing and selling land was shut down by the police. Linh and accomplices were prosecuted and arrested for fraud.

Several commune leaders, land officials, and forest management officers in Phu Quoc were also prosecuted for accepting bribes from the company to overlook the violations.

Expanding the investigation, authorities uncovered the actions of reporters Nam, Trung, Phong, and Diep. The police urge any other victims of these reporters to come forward.

Ngoc Tai - Tien Tam