In a shocking case of fraud, Trịnh Văn Tuấn, known as an associate of Tuấn 'Thần Đèn', was deceived by a local official from the Thanh Hóa Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Believing that the official could help remove 11 mining areas from a national forestry planning scheme, Tuấn transferred a total of 660 million VND to the official, only to discover he had been scammed.

The investigation, conducted by the Ministry of Public Security, has concluded with recommendations to prosecute 13 individuals connected to the fraudulent activities at the ALMA Construction and Transport Company and related entities. Among those recommended for prosecution is Hoàng Văn Phú, a 39-year-old land management specialist at the Thanh Hóa Department, who is accused of fraudulently appropriating property.

According to the investigation, Phú had previously worked in the forestry development department before being tasked in October 2023 with gathering opinions on the national forestry planning draft for the period 2021-2030. However, the investigation revealed that the planning process had been completed by November 2023, and no further adjustments were needed from the provincial government.

Despite this, in mid-2024, Phú allegedly contacted Tuấn, claiming that the authorities were reviewing the national forestry plan and requested information about the mining areas of interest. He promised to facilitate their removal from the planning scheme in exchange for 60 million VND per area. Trusting Phú, Tuấn provided the coordinates for 11 mining areas, including three for which he and acquaintances had bid for mineral extraction rights.

Phú later informed Tuấn that all 11 areas were included in the national forestry plan and claimed to have traveled to Hanoi to negotiate their removal. Between August and December 2024, Tuấn transferred 660 million VND to Phú, expecting results that never materialized. The investigation revealed that only three of the areas were actually within the forestry plan, and those had been adjusted based on prior approvals from 2017 and 2020, not due to any actions by Phú.

Furthermore, eight of the areas were never part of the national forestry plan, contradicting Phú's claims. During the investigation, it became clear that Phú had no authority to influence the planning process and had misled Tuấn to gain the funds for personal use. Although there were indications of bribery on Tuấn's part, authorities decided not to pursue charges against him due to his cooperation and prior complaint against Phú.

In addition to the fraud charges, Tuấn faces prosecution for violations related to resource exploration and extraction, accounting irregularities, and extortion. Other associates, including Nguyễn Anh Tuấn, are also implicated in the ongoing investigation.