The Criminal Police Department under the Ministry of Public Security has launched criminal proceedings against 22 golfers, including two vice-chairs of the Vietnam Golf Association, implicated in an illegal gambling case that was discovered while they were participating in a golf tournament in Vinh Phuc Province, northern Vietnam this month.
The 22 golfers, identified as entrepreneurs, were caught gambling and playing poker at a hotel in Khang Quang Ward, Vinh Yen City before their matches in the golf tournament, which was set to take place at Heron Lake Golf Course in the province.
These golfers were remanded in custody, while investigators are analyzing their behavior and roles in the case, and consolidating evidence for next prosecution steps.
Among the arrested golfers were Le Hung Nam and Tran Thanh Tu, vice-chairs of the Vietnam Golf Association.
Nam serves as vice-chairman and general secretary of the association, while Tu holds the posts of vice-chairman of the association and chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Golf Association.
Tu participated in the golf tournament, organized by the Vietnam Golf Association in Vinh Phuc, in a role as the leader of the southern golf team of the VGA Union Cup 2023.
According to the preliminary investigation results, Tran Anh Linh, director of Tran Le Gia Company in Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Binh District, was the leader of the gambling ring. He was also a member of the southern golf team.
Linh and a group of golfers on March 20 rented rooms in a hotel outside the golf course for staying and resting before their matches. However, that evening, the group organized a poker game and was detained in a sting operation.
In addition to the gamblers, many female dealers were implicated in the scandal.
Police seized over 4.6 million tokens worth more than VND4.6 billion (US$196,400), as well as other relevant exhibits and evidence.
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