Two women arrested for defrauding over 7.1 billion dong using fake bank loan maturity scheme

Da Nang, Vietnam – Police in Da Nang have arrested two women accused of orchestrating a sophisticated scam that defrauded a victim of over 7.1 billion Vietnamese dong (approximately $280,000 USD). Phùng Thị Minh Sen, 41, and Ngô Thùy Linh, 47, are under investigation for property appropriation through fraud.

Investigators from the Da Nang City Police's Criminal Investigation Department uncovered evidence suggesting Sen and Linh created false information about clients supposedly needing funds to settle maturing bank loans. They then used this fabricated scenario to solicit money from a 44-year-old woman, identified as T.T.Đ.T.

According to the investigation, Linh allegedly created loan documents for amounts of 1 billion dong, 2.5 billion dong, and 1.83 billion dong, using personal information from three individuals. She is accused of forging signatures, handwriting, fingerprints, and seals on these documents. Sen also prepared a loan document for 1.8 billion dong, citing the same reason for needing funds.

Sen reportedly sent images of these fabricated loan documents, personal papers, and bank account details via Zalo to the victim. Believing the information to be legitimate, the victim transferred a total of over 7.1 billion dong as requested by Sen and Linh. However, the funds were allegedly not used for settling bank loans as promised.

Authorities state that Linh used 5.3 billion dong of the transferred money to pay off personal debts, with the remaining 30 million dong also used for personal expenses. Sen reportedly used the entire 1.8 billion dong she received to clear her own prior debts. Linh has so far repaid 1.95 billion dong, while Sen has not repaid any of the 1.8 billion dong she received. The investigation is ongoing, with police seeking additional information from anyone who may have been defrauded by the suspects.