$10.65 million of Chu Thi Binh at Eximbank still be “detained”

The trial over Chu Thi Binh's VND245 billion ($10.65 million) at Eximbank is still ongoing

On the morning of November 22, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Court opened the first-instance trial of the case "deliberately acting against state regulations on economic management, causing serious consequences," related to the loss of VND245 billion ($10.65 million) of Chu Thi Binh at Eximbank's Ho Chi Minh City branch.

Notably, Chu Thi Binh revealed that even if Eximbank repaid the deposits on her three saving books, she still cannot withdraw or use the money.

Regarding the court case, Eximbank affirmed its respect to the investigation of the competent authorities and the judgment of the court relating to the defendants. The functional authorities reviewed the motives behind the offense, the family circumstances, and the co-operative attitude of the defendants.

Meanwhile, Chu Thi Binh, the customer whose VND245 billion ($10.65 million) at Eximbank "disappeared," said that Eximbank must repay her the contents of the saving books like it did to other customers.

Previously, in August, Eximbank finished paying out the compensation of Chu Thi Binh, repaid her the VND245 billion ($10.65 million) that she previously deposited at the bank.

“I highly appreciate the efforts and goodwill of Eximbank during the negotiations. The two sides negotiated with the legitimate interests of each party at heart,” Binh said.

Since 2013, Chu Thi Binh has been depositing large amounts of her savings at Eximbank’s branch in Ho Chi Minh City. Due to the huge amount of money deposited at the bank, she received VIP treatment. All transactions with Binh since the beginning of February 2017 were directly executed by Le Nguyen Hung, former deputy director of Eximbank’s branch in Ho Chi Minh City.

Taking advantage of Binh’s trust, Hung several times visited Binh’s house to conduct bank business. Hung actually instructed the staff to make false vouchers to withdraw the money in several instances, appropriating VND245 billion ($10.65 million) from her savings books.

In February, 2017, when the savings book reached maturity, Binh discovered that her balance on the savings book did not match the balance shown in the original books, which she promptly reported to the Ministry of Public Security’s investigation agency (C44).

Earlier on March 26, C44 arrested and began the prosecution of Ho Ngoc Thuy and Nguyen Thi Thi, officers of the Eximbank branch for the charge of “deliberately acting against state regulations on economic management, causing serious consequences.”

Le Nguyen Hung, former deputy director of Eximbank’s branch in Ho Chi Minh City, the instigator, escaped the country.