Hanoi Police Arrest 'Miracle Doctor' for Large-Scale Health Fraud

In a significant bust, Hanoi police have apprehended Nguyen Tien Nam, a 68-year-old man who styled himself a 'miracle doctor,' along with seven associates. The group stands accused of a sophisticated scam, preying on vulnerable patients by promising cures for all ailments through the consumption of alkaline water. Their operation, heavily promoted on social media with videos touting Nam's supposed miraculous abilities, targeted individuals suffering from severe illnesses, including those deemed untreatable by modern medicine.

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The 'fake miracle doctor' Nguyen Tien Nam led a fraud ring, operating under the guise of advertising cures for all diseases using alkaline water.

Nam, who admitted to having no medical training or license, began his fraudulent practice in 2018. He convinced patients, particularly those with critical conditions and limited financial means, that his alkaline water could provide a cure. Those seeking treatment at his facility were charged 200,000 VND per day for the 'healing' water, with accompanying family members paying 100,000 VND. For those unable to attend in person, the group aggressively marketed water filtration machines, priced between 30 and 40 million VND.

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When patients came for treatment or consultation, Mr. Nam affirmed to the patients that he could cure all types of diseases.

Authorities revealed that Nam was aware of the limitations of alkaline water but proceeded with the deception due to greed. The scale of the fraud is staggering, with financial transactions linked to the scheme reportedly reaching nearly 100 billion VND. This case highlights a disturbing trend of exploitation within the healthcare sector, where desperation can be leveraged for immense financial gain. The swift action by the Hanoi police underscores their commitment to protecting citizens from such predatory practices.

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Exploiting patients with critical illnesses and difficult circumstances, Mr. Nam advised them to be cured by directly drinking water at the facility or buying a water filter machine to use at home.