On 6/1, the Thanh Hoa Provincial Police Investigation Agency initiated criminal proceedings against Ngo Duc Quan, 35, residing in Ngoc Son ward, and his wife, Bui Thi Linh, 31, for extortion.

Ngo Duc Quan and his wife. Photo: *Lam Son*.

According to the investigation, on the afternoon of 28/12/2025, the Hoang Chau Commune Police received a report from Mr. Nguyen in Chung Son village. Mr. Nguyen stated that a man, who identified himself as Nguyen Quoc Hoang, an officer from the Thanh Hoa Provincial Police Criminal Investigation Department, came to his house. The man claimed Mr. Nguyen's wife was violating the law and used threatening language to extort property from the family.

The Hoang Chau Commune Police verified the report and arrested the impersonator. At the police station, the suspect revealed his true name as Ngo Duc Quan. Quan admitted he needed money for personal expenses, which led him to impersonate a police officer to intimidate Mr. Nguyen's family and demand money. Before the incident, Quan purchased a fake People's Public Security ID online under the name Nguyen Quoc Hoang.

Around 3 PM on 28/12/2025, Quan brought the fake documents to Mr. Nguyen's house. He had previously discussed the plan with his wife, Bui Thi Linh, over the phone. She instructed him on how to threaten the victim's family, aiming to force them to pay money "to overlook the violation." However, the scheme was exposed before it could be successfully carried out.

Le Hoang