Former Phu Quoc Police Chief Faces 14-16 Years in Prison for Fraud

Former Phu Quoc City Police Chief Le Van Mot has been recommended for a 14-16 year prison sentence for fraud, while his alleged accomplice Nguyen Thi Hang faces a life sentence, in a case involving land scams that defrauded victims of approximately VND 67.7 billion (USD 2.8 million). The An Giang Provincial People's Court on September 11 heard the case against Mot and Hang for fraud and asset appropriation. According to the indictment, Mot, while serving as Phu Quoc City Police Chief in 2021, became acquainted with Hang and referred to her as his "foster daughter." The two subsequently colluded in multiple land-related fraud schemes, including promising to facilitate land documentation despite knowing it was impossible, thereby gaining trust to receive money from victims. Hang is accused of receiving money from numerous victims, while Mot is identified as having assisted or directly participated in several cases. In total, four victims transferred nearly VND 60 billion (USD 2.5 million) to Hang, and Mot received VND 8 billion (USD 330,000). Hang is also accused of defrauding six other individuals of approximately VND 30 billion (USD 1.25 million). The case was initially brought before the An Giang Provincial People's Court in April, but the panel of judges returned the case file for further investigation. The results of the supplementary investigation indicated that there was insufficient evidence to prove Hang had transferred money to Mot, as previously claimed. Specifically, Hang claimed to have withdrawn money and given it to Mot in his office or transferred it to his subordinates. However, after confrontation and identification, the two individuals Hang identified as intermediaries denied receiving any funds. The investigative agency determined that there was no other evidence besides Hang's testimony to support this claim, thus finding no grounds to hold the two intermediaries accountable. Nevertheless, the prosecutor's office confirmed Mot's complicity in Hang's scheme to obtain land documents for Ms. Tran Thi My Trung. According to the supplementary investigation, Mot was aware that Hang was not a public official and lacked the capability to process land documents but still fostered trust, leading Ms. Trung to sign contracts and transfer funds. The total amount defrauded by the two defendants in this specific case is nearly VND 22 billion (USD 910,000). In other land sale cases, the investigative agency determined that Mot directly advertised, provided documentation, and urged buyers to transfer funds for two plots of land measuring 10,000 square meters and 35,000 square meters, respectively. Hang acted as an accomplice in these transactions. The amounts involved were VND 11 billion (USD 450,000) and VND 20 billion (USD 830,000), with the former police chief directly receiving VND 5 billion (USD 200,000) in the first case and VND 2.5 billion (USD 100,000) in the second. During the two-day trial, the prosecutor's office stated that victims approached Mot due to trust in his position and reputation. They initially transferred money to Mot before being introduced to Hang. The prosecution asserted that the defendants' actions were sufficient grounds for prosecution on charges of fraud and asset appropriation, totaling over VND 67.7 billion. For Hang, the prosecutor's office determined that certain sums received from victims were transferred to relatives for legalization, providing grounds for additional charges of money laundering. The prosecution also noted that Hang had a prior criminal record but showed no remorse and continued to offend. The prosecutor's office assessed the defendants' actions as particularly serious, infringing upon the property rights of many individuals and adversely affecting social order and security. Consequently, Mot was recommended for 14-16 years imprisonment for fraud. Hang was recommended for life imprisonment for fraud and 10-12 years for money laundering, resulting in a combined life sentence. Regarding civil liability, the prosecutor's office proposed that both defendants jointly compensate the victims over VND 67.7 billion. The court will announce its verdict after a week of deliberation.