Man Jailed One Year for Keeping VND500 Million in Wrong Transfer

A man in Vietnam's central Quảng Trị Province has been sentenced to one year in prison for unlawfully retaining nearly VND500 million (approximately $20,000) that was mistakenly transferred to his account. The People's Court of Quảng Trị on August 6 found Nguyễn Thế Lữ, 34, guilty of unlawful appropriation of property. According to the indictment, on the afternoon of November 10, 2025, Ms. Nguyễn Thị Thu Thủy, residing in Lao Bảo Town, was transferring money via a mobile application. During the operation, she mistakenly transferred nearly VND500 million to an account under the name NGUYEN THE LU. One day later, Lữ reported to the Quảng Trị Ward Police that his account had received a mistaken transfer. Following the report, the police guided Lữ to file a formal complaint and provide his bank statement, intending to verify and resolve the mistaken transfer according to regulations. However, Lữ did not cooperate. On the same day, Ms. Thủy also reported the incident to the Quảng Trị Ward Police. In the following days, the Ward Police and Ms. Thủy repeatedly requested the return of the mistakenly transferred funds, but Lữ remained uncooperative. In mid-January, the Criminal Investigation Agency of the Quảng Trị Provincial Police arrested Lữ for unlawful appropriation of property. In early April, the Quảng Trị Ward Police transferred the nearly VND500 million back to Ms. Thủy. This case highlights emerging legal and ethical challenges in Vietnam, as digital transactions become more prevalent. Under its one-party system, Vietnamese law enforcement prioritizes social order, often leading to strict measures against individual misconduct. This verdict underscores the significant legal consequences of unlawfully holding onto mistakenly transferred funds.