Setting up a 'ghost company' to organize for foreigners to stay in Vietnam illegally

According to the indictment, Li Chu Yen (born 1993, Taiwanese nationality, China) is not allowed to stay in Vietnam long term.

In September 2023, Li Chu Yen asked Ly Van Hieu (born in 1990, in Hon Dat town, Hon Dat district, Kien Giang) to contact Vu Van Truong (born in 2000, in Cam Doai commune, Cam Giang) to complete the procedures for a work visa, with the purpose of staying in Vietnam for a long time. Truong agreed, agreeing on a visa price of more than 56.8 million VND.

The school contacted Ha Thi Huong (born in 1986, in Phuc Son commune, Nghia Lo district, Yen Bai, Director of Ha Thi Investment Consulting Company Limited) and Doan Lan Anh (born in 2001, in Duc Ninh commune, Ham Yen district, Tuyen Quang), Nguyen Thi Nga (born in 1990, in Xuan Phu commune, Xuan Truong district, Nam Dinh) who are employees of Ha Thi Investment Consulting Company Limited to process visa for Li Chu Yen for 40 million VND.

Huong directed Nga and Lan Anh to complete procedures such as establishing Khang Long Investment and Entertainment Services Company Limited, located in Kim Xa village, Cam Doai commune (Cam Giang), with Truong as the owner and Li Chu Yen as the legal representative director. The purpose was to guarantee Li Chu Yen to complete procedures at the Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security), Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs of Hai Duong province.

Li Chu Yen was then granted a visa valid from January 5, 2024 to February 11, 2024. On January 5, 2024, Li Chu Yen entered Vietnam via Tan Son Nhat International Airport and stayed in Ho Chi Minh City, leaving the country on January 31, 2024.

The school benefited more than 45.4 million VND; Huong, Lan Anh and Nga benefited 20 million VND.

In December 2023, the Immigration Department (Hai Duong Provincial Police) verified Li Chu Yen's activities and residence in Vietnam and determined that Li Chu Yen did not work for Khang Long Company. Khang Long Company did not have any production or business activities and did not display the company sign at the registered headquarters address. The Immigration Department transferred the case file and documents to the Investigation Security Agency (Provincial Police) for verification and clarification.

In this case, Truong was the mastermind; Huong, Lan Anh, and Nga were the executors; Hieu acted as an accomplice.

The trial panel sentenced Vu Van Truong to 18 months in prison; Ha Thi Huong to 15 months in prison; Nguyen Thi Nga to 13 months in prison but suspended the sentence; Doan Lan Anh and Ly Van Hieu to 12 months in prison but suspended the sentence for the crime of organizing others to stay in Vietnam illegally under Clause 1, Article 348 of the Penal Code.

Li Chu Yen's act of entering and staying in Vietnam contrary to the entry approval of the Immigration Department is an administrative violation. The Investigation Security Agency (Provincial Police) has issued a document requesting consideration and handling in accordance with the provisions of law.