Former HCMC planning leader arrested in AIC Group equipment bidding scam

Tran Thi Binh Minh, former deputy director of Ho Chi Minh City's Department of Planning and Investment, has been accused of abusing her position and power in approving project adjustments and cost estimates in violation of the law, causing damage to state property.

The Ministry of Public Security's investigative agency (C03) on Saturday said that it has issued a decision to supplement the prosecution decision on the criminal case of "abusing positions and power while performing official duties" that occurred at HCMC's Department of Planning and Investment, AIC Group, Center for Biotechnology, and related units.

The agency also detained Tran Thi Binh Minh, former deputy director of the city's Department of Planning and Investment, for "abusing positions and power while performing official duties" according to Clause 3, Article 356 of the Penal Code.

Initial investigation results showed that Minh had abused her position and power in approving the adjustment and cost estimates for a project on 12 laboratories in violation of the law, causing damage to state property.

Previously, in the AIC Group equipment bidding scam, former AIC Group chief accountant Do Van Son has turned himself in to police, the public security ministry announced on Tuesday. Son, 46, is one of the eight suspects wanted since July 8, 2022 in the scam and considered an important link in the case.

The ministry has called for the remaining suspects to surrender in return for leniency consideration. On top of the wanted list is AIC chairwoman Nguyen Thi Thanh Nhan, 54, who disappeared on June 19, 2021. Others include Tran Manh Ha, 52, deputy CEO of the Hanoi-headquartered company; Nguyen Thi Sen, 39, former director of the Medical Equipment and Environment JSC; and 61-year-old Nguyen Thi Tich, director of Mopha JSC, a Hanoi-headquartered supplier of machinery and equipment.

Ngo The Vinh, 56, director of the Viet Tien Dental Equipment Trading Co., Ltd., HCMC; Nguyen Dang Thuyet, 53, former director of Thanh An Hanoi Co., Ltd; and HCMC resident Do My Hanh, 41, chairwoman of Cat Van Sa International Company are also wanted for questioning.

AIC was established in 2005, specializing in labor exports. The company has grown into the multi-sector AIC Group, with more than 10 member companies and an annual revenue of trillions of Vietnamese dong (VND1 trillion = $43.29 million). In recent years, AIC Group has won bidding packages to supply equipment in the fields of healthcare and education across the country.