Unveiling the Arrest of the Head of the Tax Department in Bac Ninh Province

On December 2, the Investigation Police Agency of Bac Ninh Provincial Police Department announced the prosecution and issuance of temporary detention orders for two officials from the Bac Ninh Provincial Tax Department: Nguyen Thi Phuong, a specialist, and Nguyen Thi Hoa, Head of Inspection and Audit Department 3. They are being investigated for bribery during the performance of their duties. The investigation into these individuals stemmed from the expanded probe into the “Embezzlement of Assets” case at a foreign electronics company located in Hop Thinh Commune, Bac Ninh Province.

Previously, the Investigation Police Agency of Bac Ninh Provincial Police Department had issued a decision to prosecute a criminal case and a decision to prosecute a defendant against Pham Thi Thanh Ha (born in 1984), the former chief accountant of the company, for embezzlement. During her tenure at the company, Pham Thi Thanh Ha exploited her position and duties, forging the signature of the company’s legal representative to embezzle a total of 11.6 billion VND from the company. Initial investigations revealed that Ha used the funds for personal investments and expenditures.

During the investigation, Bac Ninh Provincial Police determined that on August 23, 2024, an inspection team from the Bac Giang Provincial Tax Department (now Bac Ninh Provincial Tax Department), led by Nguyen Thi Phuong, conducted a tax compliance inspection at the company. Overseeing the inspection team was Phuong’s superior, Nguyen Thi Hoa, Head of Inspection and Audit Department 3.

During the inspection, the tax team discovered several violations related to the company’s tax declarations. Exploiting her position, Nguyen Thi Hoa demanded that the company pay 15 billion VND in exchange for the inspection team overlooking significant violations. After multiple negotiations, Hoa agreed to reduce the amount to 4.3 billion VND. On September 28 and 30, 2024, the company’s representative handed over the agreed sum of 4.3 billion VND to Hoa and Phuong.

At the police station, Nguyen Thi Hoa admitted to receiving a total of 4.3 billion VND in two installments: 2 billion VND directly and 2.3 billion VND through Phuong, who then transferred the funds to Hoa. The Investigation Police Agency of Bac Ninh Provincial Police Department issued a decision to prosecute the case, prosecute the defendants, and order their temporary detention for “Bribery” under Article 354, Clause 4, of the Penal Code. These decisions were approved by the Bac Ninh Provincial People’s Procuracy.

Currently, the Investigation Police Agency of Bac Ninh Provincial Police Department is collaborating with relevant units to further investigate and expand the case to determine the responsibilities of all involved individuals, ensuring they are handled according to the law.