Woman accused of defrauding nearly 300 billion VND; 'shaman' prosecuted.

Through frequent visits to temples, Bui Thi Ninh cultivated close relationships with many people both within and outside the province, then solicited investment from them for business ventures. After receiving the money, Ninh did not use it for the agreed-upon purposes but instead used it for personal gain, embezzling nearly 300 billion VND before fleeing the area.

The Investigation Police Department of Nam Dinh province has initiated a criminal case, charged the suspect, and issued an arrest warrant for Bui Thi Ninh (born in 1980, residing at 18 Nguyen Mau Tai Street, Loc Ha Ward, Nam Dinh City) for the crime of "Fraudulent appropriation of property".

Previously, from April 23rd to 25th, the Criminal Police Department of Nam Dinh Provincial Police received complaints from seven citizens with permanent residence in Nam Dinh and Yen Bai provinces accusing Bui Thi Ninh of fraud and misappropriation of a total of 128 billion VND. Currently, the victims are unable to contact Ninh and do not know her whereabouts.

Bui Thi Ninh at the police station.

After receiving the report and determining that a large number of victims had fallen into Bui Thi Ninh's trap, the Criminal Police Department concentrated its forces and proceeded to verify and clarify the case.

Initial investigations revealed that Bui Thi Ninh frequently visited temples and sometimes used fortune-telling to build relationships with many people. From around 2018 to 2020, Ninh invested in real estate with several people and suffered losses, leading to debt and inability to repay. To pay off her debts, Ninh provided false information, claiming she needed large sums of money for real estate investment, petroleum business, shareholder investments in hydropower projects in Son La and Khanh Hoa , or loans to refinance bank loans, then solicited contributions from relatives and acquaintances.

Upon receiving the money, Ninh did not do as agreed but used it to pay off principal and interest to others, leading to a growing amount of debt. When he could no longer borrow from anyone, Ninh cut off all contact and fled the area.

The Criminal Investigation Department of the Nam Dinh Provincial Police conducted an investigation and determined that Bui Thi Ninh was on the run in District 4, Ho Chi Minh City. On April 30, the Criminal Investigation Department of the Nam Dinh Provincial Police, in coordination with the District 4 Police of Ho Chi Minh City, arrested Bui Thi Ninh.

During questioning at the investigative agency, Bui Thi Ninh confessed to borrowing money and soliciting investments from 19 people totaling over 268 billion VND. The Nam Dinh Provincial Police are continuing to search for other victims of Bui Thi Ninh to investigate and clarify the case. Therefore, the Nam Dinh Provincial Police request that anyone who is a victim or has information or evidence regarding Bui Thi Ninh's illegal activities report to the Criminal Police Department to assist in the investigation.

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