Legal proceedings launched against ex-official for taking bribes

The Ministry of Public Security's Investigation Security Agency initiates a bribery investigation targeting former Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Ba Hoan. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi - The Ministry of Public Security's Investigation Security Agency has initiated a bribery investigation targeting former Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Ba Hoan and three other other officials, in connection with a case involving the Hoang Long Construction and Manpower Supply JSC (Hoang Long CMS) and several affiliated units.

Accordingly, the ministry’s Police Department for Investigation of Corruption, Smuggling and Economic Crimes, is probing the case of “violations of accounting regulations causing serious consequences” at the Hoang Long CMS and related unira, under Decision No. 28/QD-CSKT-P6 dated May 14, 2025.

As part of the expanded investigation, Hoan’s role in the case has been found. Hoan is accused of directing the Department of Overseas Labour Management under the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) (now the Ministry of Home Affairs) to impose licensing requirements that were not legally mandated for companies involved in labour export contracts. These arbitrary regulations created barriers and difficulties for businesses, forcing them to pay bribes to leaders at the MoLISA and its Department of Overseas Labour Management.

Companies concealed these illicit payments by inflating service fees charged to workers, often exceeding legal limits, thereby misappropriating funds from them.

Based on the investigation results, on June 3 and June 10, 2025, the Ministry of Public Security’s Investigation Security Agency issued additional decisions to prosecute the criminal case for the charge of "taking bribes."

The Police Department for Investigation of Corruption, Smuggling, and Economic Crimes continues expanding its investigation and implementing measures in accordance with legal regulations to recover assets.

It has called on relevant organisations, individuals, and businesses involved in the wrongdoings of this case to proactively report and provide information to the Ministry’s Investigation Agency in order to be considered for leniency under applicable legal provisions.