The chairwoman of the renowned property developer Van Thinh Phat, Truong My Lan, is set to face trial for her alleged involvement in a mind-boggling embezzlement scandal. The magnitude of the accusations has sent shockwaves through the business and political landscape of Vietnam.
The trial, scheduled to take place at the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Court, will see Truong My Lan and her accomplices face charges of embezzling a staggering $12.5 billion from Saigon Commercial Bank (SCB) for their personal gain. The official government website revealed that Lan, who held over 90 percent of the bank’s shares, is accused of orchestrating a web of deceit by setting up fake loan applications to siphon off funds.
According to the government’s statement, Truong My Lan allegedly gave orders to create a staggering 916 fake loan applications between February 9, 2018, and October 7, 2022, resulting in the appropriation of more than 304 trillion dong ($12.5 billion) from SCB. This astronomical sum accounts for approximately three percent of Vietnam’s total GDP for 2022, highlighting the magnitude of the alleged crime.
The trial will not only focus on Truong My Lan but will also implicate 85 others, including a former official at the State Bank of Vietnam who is accused of accepting $5.2 million in bribes. The court proceedings will shed light on the intricate network of corruption that has plagued the country’s financial sector.
Van Thinh Phat, founded in 1992, has been a prominent player in the real estate industry, boasting high-end hotels, restaurants, luxury apartments, and investments in financial services. The scandal surrounding its chairwoman has sent shockwaves through the business community, tarnishing the company’s reputation and raising questions about its internal controls.
This breaking news article highlights the ongoing crackdown on corruption in Vietnam, spearheaded by the powerful Communist Party Secretary General, Nguyen Phu Trong. With more than 3,500 people indicted across over 1,300 graft cases since 2021, the government’s determination to root out corruption is evident.
As the trial unfolds, the nation will be watching closely, eager to see justice served and the truth revealed. The outcome of this high-profile case will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for Vietnam’s business and political landscape, as it grapples with the aftermath of one of the largest embezzlement scandals in its history.