Investigation of Tan Hiep Phat chairman temporarily suspended

The legal investigation period for this case is over and more assessment is needed for the alleged damage suffered by the accuser, a representative of the Ministry of Public Security said Wednesday.

The investigation began in March last year after police received an accusation from Le Van Lam, CEO of Kim Oanh Dong Nai Investment and Development Company, and two other individuals.

The accusers claimed that Phat, Phuong and other people used fake contracts to conceal a different contract in order to borrow money.

The accusers said that the fraud cost Kim Oanh Dong Nai over VND1 trillion ($40.21 million) in damage.

The C01 Investigation Office of the Ministry of Public Security requested Dong Nai authorities to cease all transactions of the Minh Thanh Dong Nai Company and a residential area in An Phuoc Commune where Lam claimed that a land lot had been illegally acquired.

The office also requested Ho Chi Minh City authorities to freeze 33 land lots owned by Phuong, who is deputy general director of Tan Hiep Phat, in Thu Duc and Binh Tan Districts.

A legal representative for Phuong had told VnExpress that all the accusations were false, the contracts were real and implemented by all sides.

Tan Hiep Phat, established in 1994, is a major beverage producer in the country, particularly popular for energy drink Number 1 and herbal tea Dr. Thanh.