Online scams involving ordering fake land ownership certificates ("red books") are perpetrated to defraud people of billions of dong.
Hung boasted about his ability to handle land-related procedures, gaining the trust of many people. After taking money from the victims, Hung ordered fake land ownership certificates online to carry out his fraudulent activities.
On September 10th, the People's Court of Nghe An province held a first-instance trial to hear the case against defendant Le Thanh Hung (born in 1991), residing in Dien Ky commune, Dien Chau district (Nghe An province), for the crime of..."Fraudulent appropriation of property"and "Forging documents of organizations; Using forged seals and documents of organizations".
Le Thanh Hung is a gambling addict with no stable job. From July 2022 to July 2023, in order to have money for personal expenses and online gambling, Hung provided false information about his ability to handle land-related procedures and documents, thereby defrauding seven victims.
After receiving money from the victims, Hung did not carry out the procedures related to issuing land use right certificates, subdividing land plots, etc., but instead used the money for personal expenses.
Investigators determined that, using this method, Le Thanh Hung had repeatedly defrauded and misappropriated over 2.5 billion VND from 7 victims.
After committing the fraud, fearing detection, Hung forged a receipt for land use right registration documents, using a fake seal of the Dien Chau District Land Registration Office to stamp the fake receipt before giving it to the victim.
Furthermore, after receiving money from another victim, Hung did not carry out the land procedures as promised but spent it all on personal expenses. When this victim repeatedly urged him to process the land title, to conceal his fraudulent activities, Hung ordered two land use right certificates online via Facebook and gave them to the victim.
Standing before the witness stand, the defendant admitted to the crimes as charged in the indictment. The defendant stated that due to gambling addiction, he had become deeply involved in crime despite knowing that such actions violated the law.
The defendant stated that he is currently unable to repay the victims, but promised to return the money to them after his release from prison.
The panel of judges determined that the defendant's criminal act was dangerous to society. In this case, the defendant had aggravating circumstances including recidivism, committing the crime two or more times, and committing the crime against a person over 70 years old.
After a comprehensive review of the case, the panel of judges sentenced Le Thanh Hung to 16 years in prison for "Fraudulent appropriation of property," 6 months in prison for "Forging documents of an organization," and 6 months in prison for "Using forged seals and documents of an organization."
Combined with a previous 20-month prison sentence for "Trafficking in prohibited goods," the defendant Hung is required to serve a total sentence of 18 years and 8 months in prison.
