Social welfare center director arrested for embezzling funds from people with disabilities

Vu Doanh Nam, director of the Social Assistance Center, is accused of instructing an accountant to inflate food costs and create fraudulent documents to appropriate 680 million VND.

On 9/4/2026, the Phu Tho Provincial Police announced that its Economic Police Department had temporarily detained Vu Doanh Nam, director of the Phu Tho Provincial Social Assistance Center, and Phung Thi Thuy Linh, an accountant. They are being investigated for abuse of power and position while on duty.

Police read the indictment to Vu Doanh Nam. *Photo: Provided by police.*

The Phu Tho Provincial Social Assistance Center, located in Zone 4, Chan Mong Commune, specializes in providing care, nurturing, and rehabilitation for individuals under social protection. These beneficiaries include the mentally ill, people with disabilities, and lonely elderly without support. Each month, the state provides support ranging from 3.5 to 4 million VND per person for their care, nurturing, and treatment.

However, investigations revealed that in 2025, as the center's director, Nam instructed the accountant to inflate food costs and create fraudulent documents. These documents were used to misappropriate funds from the state budget, charitable donations from benefactors, and voluntary care funds. This scheme aimed to embezzle nearly 680 million VND, which was then used and spent contrary to regulations.

Suspect Tran Thu Dong receives the indictment decision. *Photo: Provided by police.*

Principal accused of embezzling allowances for ethnic minority students

In a separate case, the Phu Tho Provincial Police also initiated legal proceedings and temporarily detained Tran Thu Dong, principal of Yen Lap Boarding School for Ethnic Minorities (junior and senior high school), and Hoang Thi Xuan Hoa, the school's accountant. They are being investigated for abuse of power and position while on duty.

Police determined that the Yen Lap Boarding School for Ethnic Minorities receives monthly state support of 1.8 million VND per student from ethnic minority communities, intended for their living expenses and studies.

The Phu Tho Police stated that the suspects' actions not only embezzled state funds but also directly violated the legitimate rights of vulnerable individuals.

The case is currently under expanded investigation.

By VnExpress: https://vnexpress.net/giam-doc-trung-tam-bao-tro-xa-hoi-bi-bat-vi-an-chan-tien-cua-nguoi-khuyet-tat-5060303.html