On 14/8, the Ha Tinh Provincial People's Court sentenced Vu, 37 years old, residing in Vung Ang ward, for fraudulent appropriation of property under Article 174 of the Penal Code.

In court, Vu expressed remorse, asking for a reduced sentence to atone for his mistakes. The trial panel deemed the defendant's actions a danger to society, necessitating a strict sentence to deter others.

Defendant Vu in court, morning of 14/8. *Photo: Hung Le*

According to the indictment, on 6/6/2024, Phung Van Hung, 30 years old, residing in Hoanh Son ward, was arrested by police for investigation into organizing illegal drug use.

As the two families knew each other, Hung's mother asked relatives to find ways to help her son be released on bail and receive a reduced sentence. Later, she and Ms. Tran Thi Ha (Hung's wife) approached Vu, a freelance businessman rumored to have extensive connections, for assistance. Vu agreed.

On 15/6/2024, Vu approached an official to inquire about a reduced sentence but was refused assistance. The next day, Vu lied to Ms. Ha, claiming he could reduce her husband's sentence to four years, with release after 2,5 years, and demanded money to arrange the matter.

To build trust, Vu created a fake Zalo account impersonating the official. He then sent messages back and forth to himself, fabricating a conversation about seeking a reduced sentence for Hung, and quoted a "facilitation fee" of about 400 million dong. Vu took screenshots of the conversation and sent them to Ms. Ha.

Believing him, Ms. Ha repeatedly gave and transferred money to Vu, totaling 560 million dong in 6/2024 and 7/2024. Vu used the money to purchase building materials, repay debts, and for personal expenses, never actually influencing the "case-fixing" as promised.

On 20/9/2024, defendant Hung was sentenced to eight years in prison by the Ky Anh Town People's Court (former). Ms. Ha, finding her husband's sentence too high, called Vu, who continued to claim he would appeal for a reduced sentence and find "meritorious service" details for Hung.

Vu then asked another person to find mitigating circumstances, transferring 15 million dong as a thank-you. Subsequently, Vu requested an additional 70 million dong from Ms. Ha. However, the attempt to reduce the sentence failed, and the 15 million dong was returned to Vu.

Realizing her husband's sentence could not be reduced, Ms. Ha demanded Vu return the money. Vu gradually repaid 270 million dong. By 19/10/2025, when Ms. Ha filed a complaint, Vu repaid the remaining 290 million dong.

Duc Hung