Prison sentence for 8X couple receiving 10 million VND in compensation for human trafficking

On November 22, 2018, the People's Court of Nghe An province brought three defendants to trial for the crime of "Human trafficking", including Cut Thi Phien and her husband Luong Van Thanh (both born in 1984, residing in Huu Lap commune, Ky Son district) and Luong Van Duong (born in 1995), residing in Huu Kiem commune, Ky Son district.

Defendants Luong Van Duong, Cut Thi Phien, and Luong Van Thanh (from left to right) at the trial. Photo: Quynh An

Because of his acquaintance with a woman named Kim who is currently residing in China, Cut Van Hoi (born in 1989; residing in Pha Danh commune, Ky Son district) had the idea of ​​bringing women to China for Kim to sell for money. Hoi's intention was supported by Luong Van Duong - a person who had previously brought people to China.

In June 2013, Cut Van Hoi called Cut Thi Phien to find someone and agreed that whoever agreed would receive 30 million VND, and Cut Thi Phien would be paid 20 million VND.

Moong TM (born in 1994, residing in Cha Lan village, Huu Lap commune, Ky Son district) intended to marry a Chinese man, so she went to ask Cut Thi Phien. Cut Thi Phien contacted Cut Van Hoi, Hoi contacted Luong Van Duong to take M. away.

The next day, Phien and Thanh gave Moong TM to Duong to take to China. Then, Duong gave M. to a woman named Kim and took 20,000 yuan. Duong exchanged 20,000 yuan for 60 million dong and then took a bus to Muong Xen town, Ky Son district, gave Hoi 50 million dong and kept 10 million dong for the salary.

After receiving the money, Hoi gave Phien 10 million VND and said: "Because selling Moong TM brought in little money, Phien only got this much, while Moong TM's family didn't have any."

After being sold to China, Moong TM lived with a Chinese man named Da Chuyen (unknown origin). During her stay, she was often beaten and her life was too miserable, so M. fled back to Vietnam.

On June 26, 2018, Moong TM went to Ky Son district police to report the above content.

The panel of judges stated: The above actions of the defendants are dangerous to society and need to be severely punished. Cut Van Hoi is the mastermind but is on the run, so the investigation agency has initiated a prosecution and will deal with him when he is arrested.

The three defendants confessed honestly. It is known that defendant Luong Van Duong was sentenced by the Provincial People's Court to 4 years and 6 months in prison for the crime of "Human trafficking". The panel sentenced Luong Van Duong to 5 years in prison combined with the previous sentence to 9 years and 6 months in prison; Luong Van Thanh to 4 years in prison and defendant Cut Thi Phien to 30 months of suspended sentence, probation for 60 months because she has a 5-month-old child.