Former Department Head Scams Tan Hoang Minh Chairman Out of 80 Billion VND; Faces 20 Years in Prison

After a day of interrogation, in the late afternoon of September 9, the representative of the Hanoi City People’s Procuracy presented the indictment and proposed to the Court to sentence the defendant Nguyen Sy Ta (DOB 1972, former head of the Ethnic Minorities Committee’s Department of Integration) to 20 years in prison for “fraudulent appropriation of property” as stipulated in Clause 4, Article 174 of the Criminal Code.

The Procuracy stated that based on the case file, the testimonies of witnesses and the injured party, and the proceedings at the trial, there was sufficient basis to affirm that the defendant Ta’s criminal acts were fully described in the indictment.

According to the Procuracy, Duc Anh Company was the owner of the Dao Nui Cuong Project (in Dam Ha District, Quang Ninh Province). In 2018, intending to sell the project, a representative of the company met with Nguyen Sy Ta and asked him to “find a buyer.” As Ta was acquainted with Mr. Do Anh Dung, chairman of the Tan Hoang Minh Group, he offered to make the introduction.

During the introduction, Ta claimed that the project had been planned by the Quang Ninh People’s Committee for tourism and eco-urban development, and that Duc Anh Company belonged to him, but as a “state official,” he could not register it under his name and had to ask his driver and housekeeper to do so on his behalf…

Believing Ta’s words, the chairman of Tan Hoang Minh agreed to the purchase. In 2019, a representative of Tan Hoang Minh sent a contract to Ta, who then informed them that the project was priced at VND 320 billion and requested a deposit of VND 80 billion to “ensure the signing of the contract and the execution of the transfer.” Ta received the full deposit amount.

Subsequently, due to “complications,” Duc Anh Company decided not to sell the project, and Tan Hoang Minh demanded the return of the deposit from Nguyen Sy Ta. However, they only received VND 33 billion, while the remaining VND 47 billion was appropriated by Ta.

Evasive and Denial of Crimes

The Procuracy assessed that the defendant Ta’s actions posed a danger to society and infringed on the property ownership rights of individuals and enterprises. He fabricated evidence and deceived others with legal trickery regarding the project, leading them to believe it was genuine.

“During the investigation and at the trial, the defendant changed his testimony to deny his crimes. A severe penalty must be imposed,” stated the Procuracy.

Earlier, during the opening of the trial, Mr. Ta objected to the court’s proceeding in the absence of Mr. Do Anh Dung. He requested the court to “summon Mr. Dung at all costs for a face-to-face confrontation.”

Additionally, Mr. Ta also requested a change in the prosecutor in charge, but the court did not approve this request.

In response to the questioning, the defendant Ta argued that the indictment’s accusations against him were wrong. He claimed that the case was a “civil agreement” and that he merely “facilitated” the negotiation process between the two parties. For his successful facilitation, he was entitled to a commission of VND 80 billion.

The former head of the department affirmed that he did not deceive Mr. Do Anh Dung by claiming that the project belonged to him and that, due to his position as a state official, he could not register it under his name, hence asking his driver and housekeeper to do so.

The representative of Duc Anh Company stated that they had only asked Mr. Ta to act as a broker to find a buyer for the project.