Sunday, August 16, 2026

Vietnamese billionaire Truong Lan sentenced to death for $12.5 billion bank fraud

She was also said to have committed the crime between 2012 and 2022.

• April 11, 2024
Truong Lan flanked on left and right side by security officers (Credit: ABC News)
Truong Lan flanked on left and right side by security officers (Credit: ABC News)

The Vietnamese government has sentenced Truong Lan, a billionaire, to death for looting one of the biggest banks in the country.

According to a report published by Voice of America (VOA), on Thursday, Lan, 67, chairperson of a real estate company, Van Thinh Phat, was charged with fraud amounting to $12.5 billion, or almost 3 per cent of the nation’s GDP in 2022.

She was also said to have committed the crime between 2012 and 2022, where she unlawfully managed the Saigon Joint Stock Commercial Bank in order to embezzle these monies through hundreds of fictitious businesses and by offering bribes to public servants.

According to the report, the court ruled that Ms Lan should also return $27 billion, an amount that the prosecution has stated may never be found.

Her arrest in October 2022 made headlines in various media, making her one of the most well-known subjects of Vietnam’s ongoing anti-corruption campaign that has been underway since 2022.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Peter Obi

NationWide

My alliance with Obi can defeat any party in 2027, says Kwankwaso

The former governor said the decision for both of them to come together was to produce a balanced ticket.

Governor Ademola Adeleke

States

IPAC hails Adeleke’s victory, commends Osun voters for defending democracy

The chairman highly commended INEC, security agencies and civil society groups.

Ademola Adeleke

States

Adeleke’s victory demonstrates power of popular support, says Accord chieftain

He said that the outcome of the election was a reflection of Accord’s strength.

Peter Obi

NationWide

Nigerians must learn from Osun election, protect their votes in 2027, says Obi

Mr Obi commended voters in the state for peacefully defending their democratic mandate.

Sorting and counting

States

NYSC hails corps members’ performance during Osun governorship election

Mr Kubiangha reiterated NYSC’s commitment to the safety and welfare of corps members.