Information ministry officials arrested for involvement in AIC equipment bidding scam

By Minh Hue
Sat, December 30, 2023 | 3:13 pm GMT+7

Nguyen Trong Duong, deputy director of the Ministry of Information and Communication's (MIC) finance-planning department, was arrested on Saturday for violations related to an equipment bidding scam at the Hanoi-based Advanced International JSC (AIC).

The investigative agency (C03) under the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) also initiated legal proceedings against and detained Ngo Quang Huy, deputy chief of the MIC Office, for the same charge of “violating bidding regulations causing serious consequences”, said MPS spokesman Lieutenant General To An Xo.

Nguyen Trong Duong, deputy director of the Ministry of Information and Communication's (MIC) finance-planning department. Photo courtesy of the ministry.

Nguyen Trong Duong, deputy director of the Ministry of Information and Communication's (MIC) finance-planning department. Photo courtesy of the ministry.

Duong and Huy were determined to have committed violations when serving as director and deputy director of the Vietnam Cybersecurity Emergency Response Teams/Coordination Center (VNCERT/CC), he added.

For the same charge, C03 also launched legal proceedings against Nguyen Thi Thanh Nhan, AIC chairwoman; Do Van Son, head of project management unit 2 at AIC; Nguyen Van The, head of the AIC’s economic department; Nguyen Vu Cuong, director of Khang Phat Co., Ltd; Mai Phuong Nam, deputy director of Khang Phat Co., Ltd; Dang Xuan Minh, director of valuation firm BTC Value; and Nguyen Quoc Viet, an appraiser at BTC Value Company.

Investigators alleged that in the process of making, approving, and organizing bidding for a project to purchase equipment and technical services to monitor and analyze cyber incidents and attacks on a number of international websites implemented by VNCERT/CC in 2017, Duong, as director of the center, directed his subordinates to collude with the consulting units Khang Phat and BTC Value to enable the equipment supplier AIC to win the bidding, causing a loss to state assets.

This is the fourth case that businesswoman-turned-fugitive Nhan has been investigated for.

At the end of 2022, as the mastermind of a case of violating bidding regulations and accepting bribes at Dong Nai General Hospital, Nhan was sentenced to 30 years in prison by the Hanoi People's Court.

In the second case related to violating medical equipment bidding regulations in Quang Ninh province, Nhan received 10 years in jail. In the third case under investigation, she is also accused of violating bidding regulations at the Biotechnology Center of Ho Chi Minh City.

Comments (0)
  • Read More
Hanoi TikToker internationally wanted for involving in multi-billion-dollar investment scam

Hanoi TikToker internationally wanted for involving in multi-billion-dollar investment scam

Hanoi police have issued an international arrest warrant for Le Khac Ngo, known as "Mr. Hunter," a key accomplice in a recently-dismantled massive foreign exchange and securities fraud ring.

Society - Sat, December 21, 2024 | 10:57 pm GMT+7

Unlocking Phu Quoc’s potential to become the 'Hawaii of the East'

Unlocking Phu Quoc’s potential to become the 'Hawaii of the East'

Leading global tourism companies have remarked that Phu Quoc has "yet to receive the recognition it deserves," despite its impressive and unexpected growth rate.

Travel - Sat, December 21, 2024 | 7:20 pm GMT+7

Thai central bank maintains policy interest rate at 2.25%

Thai central bank maintains policy interest rate at 2.25%

The Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) has said it backs the decision by the Bank of Thailand, the country's central bank, to maintain the policy interest rate at 2.25%, considering the move as suitable for a reviving economy.

Southeast Asia - Sat, December 21, 2024 | 5:43 pm GMT+7

Vietnam's military-run tech giant Viettel strikes big deals at international defence expo

Vietnam's military-run tech giant Viettel strikes big deals at international defence expo

Subsidiaries of Military Industry and Telecommunications Group (Viettel) signed a string of significant contracts with major global partners during the first two days of the Vietnam International Defence Expo 2024 in Hanoi.

Companies - Sat, December 21, 2024 | 5:36 pm GMT+7

Taiwan’s Wistron acquires 37ha land lot in northern Vietnam for expansion

Taiwan’s Wistron acquires 37ha land lot in northern Vietnam for expansion

Taiwan-headquartered Wistron, a top electronics provider and an Apple supplier, will further its investment in Vietnam’s northern province of Ha Nam by acquiring another 37.1-hectare land lot.

Companies - Sat, December 21, 2024 | 2:08 pm GMT+7

VAFIE seeks to promote sci-tech development, intellectual property policies

VAFIE seeks to promote sci-tech development, intellectual property policies

The Vietnam’s Association of Foreign Invested Enterprises (VAFIE) aims to enhance policies for the development of science, technology, and intellectual property, creating a more conducive investment environment.

Companies - Sat, December 21, 2024 | 1:59 pm GMT+7

Vietnamese dong likely to depreciate 3% in 2025: VinaCapital

Vietnamese dong likely to depreciate 3% in 2025: VinaCapital

The Vietnamese dong is likely to depreciate 3% in 2025 on anticipation that the US Dollar/DXY Index will finish 2025 nearly unchanged, says Michael Kokalari, chief economist at Vietnam's leading fund manager VinaCapital.

Economy - Sat, December 21, 2024 | 11:23 am GMT+7

First luxury railway journey across Vietnam features Indochine architecture

First luxury railway journey across Vietnam features Indochine architecture

PYS Travel has launched the first luxury railway journey across Vietnam named Sjourney, marking a new milestone in the railway tourism sector.

Travel - Sat, December 21, 2024 | 10:09 am GMT+7

Vietnam among 40 most beautiful countries: US publication

Vietnam among 40 most beautiful countries: US publication

Vietnam has secured the 36th position in the ranking of the 40 most beautiful countries in 2024 in a testament to its undeniable charm and appeal, according to US News & World Report.

Travel - Sat, December 21, 2024 | 10:04 am GMT+7

Foxconn to invest $16 mln more in Vietnam’s Quang Ninh province

Foxconn to invest $16 mln more in Vietnam’s Quang Ninh province

Competition Team Technology (Vietnam) Company Limited, a subsidiary of Foxconn, will invest an extra $16 million in its “S- Vietnam” project in the northern coastal province of Quang Ninh.

Industries - Sat, December 21, 2024 | 9:53 am GMT+7

Vietnam’s small- and medium-sized businesses embrace digitization to weather global expansion risks: survey

Vietnam’s small- and medium-sized businesses embrace digitization to weather global expansion risks: survey

While global expansion remains a key priority for the country's small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), achieving this goal requires overcoming challenges by leveraging the right talent and advanced technologies, including AI, according to Payoneer’s findings.

Companies - Sat, December 21, 2024 | 7:56 am GMT+7

Vietnam tax authorities collect $169 mln from delinquent taxpayers through exit bans

Vietnam tax authorities collect $169 mln from delinquent taxpayers through exit bans

Vietnam's tax authorities have collected about VND4.3 trillion ($169 million) from 6,500 delinquent taxpayers through exit ban measures so far this year, nearly five times the amount reported in the middle of the year.

Finance - Fri, December 20, 2024 | 10:29 pm GMT+7

French, Chinese EV manufacturers to invest in Indonesia

French, Chinese EV manufacturers to invest in Indonesia

Three global electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers - France’s Citroen and China’s BYD and AION - have committed to establishing EV manufacturing plants in Indonesia, Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita has announced.

Southeast Asia - Fri, December 20, 2024 | 6:42 pm GMT+7

Thailand optimistic about export prospects for 2025

Thailand optimistic about export prospects for 2025

With an upbeat export growth projection of about 5% this year, Thailand's Ministry of Commerce and its private sector are optimistic for a further 2-3% growth in 2025, bringing total export value to about $305 billion.

Southeast Asia - Fri, December 20, 2024 | 6:36 pm GMT+7

Philippines imposes temporary import ban on live cattle from Japan

Philippines imposes temporary import ban on live cattle from Japan

The Philippines has imposed a temporary ban on the importation of live cattle and buffalo as well as their products from Japan due to the outbreak of lumpy skin disease (LSD), its Department of Agriculture said on Thursday.

Southeast Asia - Fri, December 20, 2024 | 5:53 pm GMT+7

Malaysia-China trade hits nearly $100 bln

Malaysia-China trade hits nearly $100 bln

Malaysia-China economic ties have continued to strengthen, with bilateral trade reaching nearly $98 billion between January and November, matching the 2023 total trade volume.

Southeast Asia - Fri, December 20, 2024 | 5:51 pm GMT+7