Police in Hà Tĩnh Province have arrested and charged a journalist and his accomplice for allegedly extorting large sums of money from local businesses by threatening negative media coverage.
The suspects, Trần Tiến Đạt, 32, and Nguyễn Doãn Long, 37, both residents of Thành Sen Ward (formerly Trần Phú Ward, Hà Tĩnh City), have been placed in temporary detention on charges of property extortion.
According to the investigation, Đạt worked as a journalist and served as deputy head of the North Central Vietnam bureau for a magazine. Authorities say he abused his position in the media by filming trucks and other transport vehicles, then contacting business owners and threatening to publish critical articles unless they paid him.
Using this scheme, Đạt allegedly extorted hundreds of millions of Vietnamese dong from various businesses and individuals. Investigators identified Đạt as the ringleader, with Long assisting in the crimes.
In addition to the extortion charge, Đạt has also been charged with using falsified documents from official agencies and organizations.
The investigation is ongoing.
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