Ho Chi Minh City: Ring of 'Fake' Criminal Record Certificates Busted, 16 Indicted

A sophisticated network in Ho Chi Minh City has been dismantled, leading to the indictment of 16 individuals for their alleged involvement in a large-scale bribery scheme. The operation facilitated the illegal issuance of thousands of criminal record certificates, primarily for foreigners, bypassing standard legal procedures.

The accused include former officials from the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Justice, lawyers, and even individuals who sold drinks outside the department. They are charged with receiving, giving, and brokering bribes to expedite the processing of these crucial documents. The scheme allegedly involved former officials from the Department of Justice and former police officers.

According to the indictment, the illicit operation allowed individuals to obtain criminal record certificates without needing to be physically present, provide legal authorization, or meet residency requirements. The price for these expedited, fraudulent documents ranged from 2.5 million to 3.1 million Vietnamese dong per case.

The investigation revealed a complex process where fake residency information was created. A company director and his wife allegedly established the service, then bribed former police officers to falsify residency records. These falsified documents were then used to obtain the criminal record certificates, with various individuals profiting at each step of the illegal process.