Half a ton of gold carried over border by Chinese 'mules' for Vietnamese smugglers

A gold shop owner hired Chinese nationals to smuggle in the gold worth around VND1.208 trillion (US$50 million) from China by hiding it in shoe bundles and on their person.

Tran Thi Hoan, owner of Hoan Hue Gold and Jewelry Company, then got the origin markings on the gold bars removed to conceal their source.

Ministry of Public Security investigators determined that Hoan, Pham Tuan Hai, former director of Thang Long Trading and Service Co. Ltd. in Hanoi, and six employees of Hoan Hue, ran the illegal operation and are investigating them for "smuggling."

Three others from Hanoi-based Vietnam Gold Investment and Trading Corporation, chairwoman Tran Nhu My, vice CEO Phung Thi Quyet and head accountant Nguyen Thi Hop, face charges of "violations of accounting regulations causing serious consequences."

According to the police, Hoan coordinated with an individual known as "Ba Beo" (Fat Lady) and Hai to smuggle into Vietnam, with Hoan buying the gold brought into Vietnam by the other two.

According to the police, between September to December 2024 Hoan, Hai and Ba Beo smuggled more than 564 kg of gold from China through the Lao Cai international border gate.

Hoan purchased 97.3 kg of gold worth VND208 billion from Ba Beo and 449 kg of gold worth nearly VND1 trillion from Hai.

Hai and Ba Beo hired Chinese nationals to bring the gold over the border. After that, it was taken to Hoan Hue Company where staff erased the origin markings by apply heat to the surface using a heat gun.

Most of it was then sold in Hanoi.

Hai has denied any involvement, but WeChat group chats show he was responsible for smuggling 449 kg of gold worth more than VND1.151 trillion.

Vietnam Gold Company's My and Thuyet sold the smuggled gold to numerous clients, often without invoices or receipts.

These resulting tax losses exceeded VND5 billion.

The investigation continues with authorities working to identify "Ba Beo" and gather evidence.