The MB24 case serves as a cautionary tale about greed and lack of understanding.
(Baonghean)In July 2012, the Online Trading Training Joint Stock Company (abbreviated as MB24) launched its electronic trading platform at the following address:www.mb24.vnWhile the company's headquarters in Hanoi and branches in various provinces have been investigated and prosecuted by the police, illegal activities by a branch of this company in Nghe An have also been uncovered by the Nghe An Police. The following is a brief interview with Colonel Dao Hong Lap, Head of the Economic Police Department of the Nghe An Police, regarding this case.
Reporter: Comrade, following the serious violations of the 24-hour drug trafficking ring nationwide, this network has now been exposed with the involvement of the Ministry of Public Security and the police forces of various provinces and cities. So, how did the Economic Police Department of Nghe An Province get involved to help bring this network to light?
Colonel Dao Hong Lap
Colonel Dao Hong Lap:Under the timely direction of the Provincial Police Director, the Economic Police Department concentrated its forces to verify and clarify the MB24 branch in Nghe An. Specifically, we investigated the establishment and operation of the branch from October 1, 2011 to July 31, 2012. We investigated and clarified the organization, methods, operational processes, money collection, money transfer, commission receipts, and various bonuses of this branch in the area.
PV: Could you please provide more details about the activities and extent of the damage caused by the MB24 branch in Nghe An?
Colonel Dao Hong Lap:MB24 is a type of e-commerce business. Essentially, it acts as a bridge between production and e-commerce. If used correctly, it can greatly benefit production and its development. However, in this case, MB24's stakeholders in general, and the Nghe An branch in particular, are focusing on developing membership with the goal of earning high commissions.
During the investigation, we clarified that in Nghe An province, over a period of 10 months, the perpetrators had spread information about MB24 to more than 6,000 people, and of those 6,000, over 1,000 participated in purchasing a total of 2,519 stalls. We determined that each stall required a payment of 5,200,000 VND. However, there were also deductions, such as 1,500,000 VND for each person who introduced a new vendor. Thus, there were individuals who were both victims and perpetrators of harm to others.
PV: The biggest concern for the victims in this case right now is how to get back the money they gave to MB24. In your opinion, are there any solutions to help them?
Colonel Dao Hong Lap:We will actively cooperate with the Hanoi Police Investigation Agency to investigate and clarify this case. During the investigation, two issues will be raised: the criminal responsibility of the perpetrators and their economic and civil liability. Specifically, the perpetrators must compensate the victims for whatever amount they benefited from, and this will be addressed in a court ruling. Determining the exact amount to be compensated is difficult, as it involves a complex process with various deductions and a certain percentage that must be addressed in a court judgment.
PV: So, what warnings are the authorities giving to the public based on this?
Colonel Dao Hong Lap:Those who, due to excessive greed and lack of understanding, are lured into similar commercial activities—a case similar to the Colony scam (illegal online financial investment in Vietnam)—serves as a cautionary tale: Earning money requires training and hard work, not simply sitting at a computer and recruiting people to make money, as the MB24 group did and suffered losses from recently.
Thank you, comrade!
Huong Giang - Minh Khoi
