On 14/9, Chat, 45, a resident of Hanoi, was indicted and temporarily detained by the Ha Tinh Provincial Police Criminal Investigation Department for fraudulent appropriation of property, under Article 174 of the Penal Code.

Suspect Chat. Photo: Police provided

Over the past few months, Chat allegedly exploited the lack of understanding among long-haul truck drivers. He impersonated leaders at central government agencies and several provinces and cities, claiming he could intervene in the handling of traffic safety violations for transport companies. He demanded monthly or quarterly fees from drivers.

When drivers contacted Chat for intervention, he could not resolve the issues. Despite this, he still demanded drivers transfer money to him, purportedly to thank "this person or that person".

Following complaints from victims, Chat was arrested in mid-September. According to investigators, using this scheme, Chat defrauded many victims nationwide, including those in Ha Tinh, appropriating hundreds of millions of dong.

The investigation is being expanded.

Duc Hung