On 23/4, the Economic, Corruption, Smuggling, and Environmental Crime Investigation Department, under Da Nang City Police, announced the execution of legal proceedings against Vo Thi Ngoc Lan, 41, a resident of Nui Thanh commune.

Suspect Vo Thi Ngoc Lan at the police station. Photo: Thanh Huynh

Investigation results revealed that from 2022 to 2024, Lan and Nguyen Tuong Thi engaged in illegal value-added invoice trading. Lan subsequently used these invoices to legitimize input data for three businesses she managed. Police allege this activity aimed to evade over 8.6 billion VND in taxes.

This development marks the latest in an expanding investigation into illegal invoice trading, linked to a criminal network operating in Nui Thanh district, a part of what was formerly Quang Nam province. Quang Nam Provincial Police had initiated legal proceedings for this case on 6/3/2025, aiming to clarify economic irregularities.

According to Da Nang City Police, illicit invoice trading for budgetary gain constitutes a serious legal violation. Authorities are strengthening their case and broadening the investigation to prosecute all involved individuals and organizations as per regulations.

Previously, large-scale illegal invoice rings frequently employed "ghost companies" to issue fraudulent invoices. Businesses then used these to legitimize expenses and reduce their tax obligations. Last March, Da Nang Police dismantled one such ring, which had recorded over 2,000 billion VND in fabricated revenue.