Chairman of IEMS Arrested for Organizing Illegal English Tests for 80,000 People

Phu Tho Provincial Police have taken decisive action against a large-scale fraud ring, arresting Do Van Manh, the chairman of the Institute of Educational Management Science (IEMS), along with other individuals. The charges stem from the illegal organization of English proficiency tests and the issuance of unaccredited certificates, preying on the aspirations of thousands of Vietnamese citizens seeking to improve their language qualifications.

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We urge the public to thoroughly investigate the legal validity of certificates, especially those issued by foreign organizations, and to refrain from participating in illegal examinations.

Under the guise of an international organization, Manh and his accomplices allegedly established an online platform, "Bright Online LLC Academy," which they presented as a legitimate educational institution. This platform, however, operated without the necessary licenses in Vietnam. The group is accused of fabricating certificates conforming to the European CEFR framework, exploiting the high demand for such qualifications in the country.

The scale of the operation is staggering, with over 120 testing sessions conducted, attracting more than 80,000 participants. Each individual paid a fee ranging from 2 to 18 million Vietnamese dong, resulting in illicit profits estimated at nearly 200 billion dong. This massive undertaking highlights the vulnerability of individuals seeking educational advancement and the sophisticated methods employed by fraudulent entities.

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Be vigilant against advertisements promising 'easy tests, quick certificates' on social media.

Authorities are urging the public to exercise extreme caution when pursuing foreign-issued certificates and to verify the legal standing of any testing organization. The police have also called upon individuals who participated in these illegal tests to come forward to facilitate the investigation and seek resolution. This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of due diligence in educational pursuits and the need for robust regulatory oversight to protect citizens from such scams.

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We request individuals who have participated in tests organized by this ring to proactively contact us for guidance on legal resolution.