Authorities arrest suspect who defrauded people of over 8 billion VND by promising to scam them through fraudulent US student visa applications.
Believing that Nguyen Phuong Thanh could help with the procedures for studying in the US, Mr. G.'s mother and son transferred money to Thanh on several occasions, totaling 4.5 billion VND and 153,000 USD.
On March 24, the Ho Chi Minh City Police Investigation Agency issued a decision.initiate legal proceedings.The police have initiated criminal proceedings and executed an arrest warrant against Nguyen Phuong Thanh (36 years old, residing in District 10) for the crime of "Fraudulent appropriation of property".
These decisions and orders have been approved by the People's Procuracy of Ho Chi Minh City.
According to preliminary investigation information, Mr. G. (residing in Hoang Mai district, Hanoi) has known Thanh since 2011.
In 2017, Mr. G. wanted to study in the United States. Knowing this, Thanh claimed to have connections with the US Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City and could easily help Mr. G. get his US student visa application approved. Trusting her, Mr. G. informed his mother, Mrs. B.
Mr. G. and his mother have transferred money to Thanh on several occasions, totaling 4.5 billion VND and 153,000 USD.equivalent to over 3.7 billion VNDHowever, after receiving the money, Thanh did not use it to arrange G.'s study abroad procedures but instead used it for personal purposes.
After waiting a long time without receiving their student visa, and with Thanh avoiding them, Mr. G.'s mother and son filed a complaint with the Ho Chi Minh City Police.
When the police got involved, Thanh was uncooperative, giving evasive and contradictory statements to avoid answering questions.
The police focused on verifying information, investigating, summoning, and recording statements from those involved, and requesting expert examination of seized documents.
The investigating agency clarified that Thanh had no relationship with the US Consulate General and absolutely no function, authority, or ability to handle the study abroad procedures as promised to Mr. G. Therefore, Thanh was prosecuted and temporarily detained.
Currently, the police are expanding their investigation to clarify the roles of several related individuals.
