In Vietnam, two high-ranking police officers were sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment

The two formerly senior Vietnamese law enforcement officers will spend 10 years in jail. Police officers were convicted of participating in an illegal online gambling business.

On Friday, November 30, the People’s Court of the Province of Futho sentenced Fan Van Vinh, the former head of hi-tech crimes police department, to nine years in prison. Nguyen Thanh Hoa, former director of hi-tech crimes police department, was sentenced to 10 years.

They were sentenced along with 89 criminals for participating in organizing massive online gambling games. In March of this year, the Vietnamese authorities discovered this illegal action. The criminal scheme involved the use of mobile cash cards for the purchase of virtual loans in online casinos, which could later be redeemed for real money.

Two police officers were charged with abuse of office. Such actions of the court indicate an attempt to warn other police officers and government officials.

Also, were sentenced several top managers of telecommunications companies associated with the illegal scheme. Nguyen Van Duong, the former chairman of CNC security technology development company, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for illegal gambling and money laundering. Former president of VTC Online Fang Sao Nam received five years on the same charges.

The remaining defendants were fined or sentenced to imprisonment for up to three years. The three mobile phone companies that issued the cards - Viettel, Vinaphone and Mobiphone - are committed to paying out $420 million, which were obtained by illegal means.