On September 26, the People’s Court of Tra Vinh province held a first-instance trial of the criminal case against the defendant Dinh Thi Thuy Trinh (51 years old, residing in Tan Son Nhi Ward, Tan Phu District, Ho Chi Minh City) for fraud and appropriation of property. Trinh is the person who claimed to be able to “fix” the murder case to appropriate 500 million VND.
Defendant Dinh Thi Thuy Trinh in court
According to the indictment, in August 2021, defendant P. (residing in Thanh Hoa Son commune, Cau Ngang district, Tra Vinh) was temporarily detained by the Investigation Police Agency of Tra Vinh province for murder. Defendant P.’s relatives wanted to find someone to help P. avoid imprisonment. Defendant P.’s relatives were introduced to Trinh for help.
Afterwards, P.’s family contacted Trinh. Trinh said that having a close relationship with a law enforcement officer would help the defendant P. avoid imprisonment for a price of 500 million VND.
Trusting, the defendant P.’s family made an appointment to meet Trinh to discuss and transferred 500 million VND to Trinh’s account 7 times. On August 26, 2022, the People’s Court of Tra Vinh province tried the case and sentenced defendant P. to 16 years in prison.
Having lost money but unable to “run the case”, P.’s family tried to contact Trinh but could not, knowing they had been scammed, they reported it to the police.
On July 20, 2023, the Investigation Police Agency of Tra Vinh Province Police executed an order to temporarily detain Trinh when he was hiding in Tan Tuc Town, Binh Chanh District, Ho Chi Minh City.
In court as well as during the investigation, Trinh confessed honestly, repented… Based on the nature, level, and criminal behavior, the People’s Court sentenced the defendant Dinh Thi Thuy Trinh to 15 years in prison for fraud and property appropriation and ordered the defendant to return the misappropriated money to the victim.