During the investigation, law enforcement agencies seized 1,452 land use certificates, 1.1 million USD in cash, 534 taels of SJC gold, and multiple luxury vehicles, including Lexus, Mercedes, and BMW models.

Nguyen Van Hau has been indicted on multiple charges, including violating accounting regulations causing serious consequences, violating bidding regulations causing serious consequences, and bribery.

According to investigators, his financial crimes resulted in a 504 billion VND ($20.2 million) loss to the state due to accounting violations and an additional 459 billion VND ($18.4 million) loss from illegal bidding practices.

Hau is also accused of bribing officials with more than 132 billion VND ($5.3 million) to influence local government leaders and secure lucrative development projects, causing an estimated 900 billion VND ($36.1 million) in damages to the state.

Extensive land and asset seizures

Investigators have frozen 1,419 real estate properties owned by Nguyen Van Hau, including prime land in Nha Trang and several properties in Hanoi, such as 79 Nguyen Du, 120 Mai Hac De, and multiple locations in Nam Tu Liem District.

Authorities have also seized 1,156 plots of land registered under Thang Long Investment, Trade, and Real Estate JSC at the Vinh Tuong Agricultural Wholesale Market and Urban Trade Zone in Vinh Phuc Province. Additionally, 36 properties in Vinh Tuong District and 200 plots associated with the wholesale market, logistics center, and new urban area in Tu Trung and Vinh Tuong Town have been confiscated.

The investigation also uncovered 18 properties registered under Phuc Son Group, including those at the Phuc Son Commercial Center and Residential Area in Vinh Tuong and the Social Housing Complex in Lien Bao Ward, Vinh Yen City, Vinh Phuc Province.

High-profile officials return illicit funds

During the investigation, several high-ranking officials implicated in the case have returned significant sums in an attempt to mitigate legal consequences.

Nguyen Van Hau has personally returned 24.17 billion VND ($970,000). Other officials involved include Le Duy Thanh, former chairman of Vinh Phuc People’s Committee, who has repaid 15 billion VND ($600,000) and 830,000 USD.

Former Quang Ngai chairman Cao Khoa has returned 6 billion VND ($240,000) and 20,000 USD, while Le Viet Chu, former secretary of Quang Ngai Party Committee, has repaid 6 billion VND ($240,000). Nguyen Van Khuoc, former deputy chairman of Vinh Phuc People’s Committee and former chairman of the Provincial Land Valuation Council, has repaid 3 billion VND ($120,000).

Ongoing investigation and future legal actions

Authorities have recovered 41 billion VND ($1.64 million), 1.1 million USD, and 534 taels of SJC gold as part of the investigation. Additionally, law enforcement has seized 52 computer cases, numerous mobile devices, and other valuable assets related to the case.

While several individuals have already been indicted, the Ministry of Public Security has indicated that additional suspects remain under investigation. Some individuals were found to have engaged in misconduct but did not meet the threshold for criminal prosecution. In such cases, relevant agencies have been instructed to impose administrative penalties and disciplinary actions.

Investigators have also uncovered further evidence of wrongdoing, which will be pursued in a separate legal process as the investigation continues.

T. Nhung