Nghệ An Clinic Arrested for 'Soy Milk Pus' Scam Targeting Thousands

A medical clinic in Nghệ An province, central Vietnam, has been shut down for allegedly defrauding patients and coercing them into expensive treatments. The clinic, named 'Y học Nghệ An,' is suspected of using soy milk to create fake pus, alarming patients with fabricated serious conditions. Licensed by the Department of Health in September 2024, the clinic faced multiple violations within just two months of operation. Initially, it was penalized for practicing beyond its licensed scope and failing to report changes in medical personnel. Despite a two-month suspension for rectification, the clinic continued to breach regulations, including unreported staff changes and violations of professional attire and identification rules, leading to further fines. Authorities' investigations revealed that the clinic exaggerated patients' conditions, fabricating risks such as infertility, severe reproductive health issues, and even cancer to instill fear and push them into high-cost treatment packages. Their deceptive methods reportedly included injecting soy milk into the urethra of male patients and then aspirating it to simulate pus, diagnosing severe inflammation. For female patients, they allegedly applied medication to the cervix and used medical devices to create a false appearance of inflammation, or even used metal instruments to inflict pain, convincing patients they had serious illnesses. The Economic Police Investigation Agency of Nghệ An Provincial Police have arrested Tạ Thị Cẩm Vân, 39, residing in Hanoi, along with nine accomplices, on charges of 'Customer Fraud' under Article 196, Clause 2 of the Penal Code. Authorities estimate that thousands of patients received consultations and treatments at the clinic, with total payments potentially reaching billions of Vietnamese dong. To date, nearly 100 victims have been interviewed, and more are coming forward to report the clinic's alleged misconduct. In response, the National Administration of Medicine and Pharmacy (under the Ministry of Health) has directed the Nghệ An Department of Health to collaborate with relevant agencies for a thorough investigation and strict penalties, and to enhance inspections of medical services across the province.