The former director of the Hai Phong Police in Vietnam, Do Huu Ca, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for fraudulent appropriation of property. The case, which also involved a web of bribery and the illegal sale of invoices, has exposed the high-level corruption plaguing the country's police force and tax systems.

Disgraced Police Chief Sentenced for Massive Fraud

The court found that Mr. Ca had received a staggering VND 35 billion (USD 1.4 million) from businessman Truong Xuan Duoc and his wife, with the promise of helping them escape prosecution.

According to the court's findings, Mr. Duoc and his wife had been operating a complex scheme to illegally buy and sell value-added tax invoices, earning them over VND 41 billion (USD 1.64 million) in illicit profits.

Fearing that their activities would be exposed, the couple sought the help of the former police chief of the northern port city of Hai Phong, offering him the substantial sum of money in exchange for his influence.

An lawyer who declined to be named says the general Ca was awarded many certificates of merit and medals during his long career in the police force, but his actions have severely undermined public trust and tarnished the reputation of the law enforcement agency he once led.

Illegal Invoice Scheme Unraveled

The case began to unravel when Quang Ninh Provincial Police launched an investigation into Duoc's activities in 2022. Knowing that he was being targeted, Duoc and his wife approached the former Hai Phong Police Director, hoping he could use his influence to shield them from the consequences of their crimes.

Over the course of four separate meetings, Duoc and his wife handed over a total of VND 35 billion (USD 1.4 million) to Mr. Ca, believing that the money would ensure their freedom. However, their plan was ultimately foiled, and both Duoc and his wife were arrested in early 2023.

During the trial, Mr. Ca initially denied the charges, claiming that the money was left in his home by the business people and that he had no knowledge of its origin. However, after a night of contemplation, he suddenly reversed his stance and pleaded guilty, admitting to the fraudulent appropriation of the funds.

In his final words to the court, Mr. Ca, who had served as the Hai Phong Police Director for nine years, expressed remorse for his actions, stating that he had never before lied or disrespected others. He acknowledged that his advanced age and outdated legal thinking had contributed to his poor decision-making.

Bribery and Tax Evasion Exposed

The case has exposed a wider network of corruption and tax evasion, with several other individuals being charged and sentenced for their involvement.

Truong Xuan Duoc, the mastermind behind the illegal invoice scheme, was sentenced to a total of 9 years in prison. His wife, Nguyen Thi Ngoc Anh, received a sentence of 4 years and 6 months for her role in the crimes.

The former head of the Cat Hai District Tax Department, Nguyen Dinh Duong, was sentenced to 6 years and 6 months in prison for accepting bribes, while his subordinate, Do Thanh Hoai, received a sentence of 4 years and 6 months.

Several other defendants were also found guilty of various offenses, including the illegal buying and selling of invoices and documents, as well as tax evasion. They received sentences ranging from 18 months to 7 years in prison, and fines of up to VND 2.5 billion (USD 100,000).

Authorities revealed that the illegal invoice scheme had been operating for years, with Duoc and his wife establishing a network of 26 "ghost" companies to facilitate their illicit activities.

The total transaction amount recorded on the invoices amounted to over VND 6,000 billion (USD 240 million), with the couple pocketing over VND 41 billion (USD 1.64 million) in profits.

Redemption or Regret?

In a surprising twist, the court decided to return VND 15 billion (USD 600,000) to Duoc and his wife, as the authorities determined that this portion of the money had been obtained through legitimate business activities.

This decision was based on the couple's proactive reporting of their bribery activities, which led to the authorities recovering a portion of the funds.

The sentencing of the former Hai Phong Police Director serves as a stark reminder of the need for stronger accountability and transparency in the public sector, as well as the importance of rooting out the deep-seated networks of graft that continue to undermine Vietnam's progress.