We all know that there have been rempant fraudulent lendings or predatory lendings in Vietnam. And the Vietnamese authorities have been resolute about cracking down on these illegal activities.
It is discovered recently that several Chinese gangs who travel to Vietnam and use Vietnamese collaborators to lure victims into their traps. They all have online websites or apps through which victims can easily get loans. There are several hidden fees related to these loans and the victims can no way pay back the debts. The real interest rates could be a few hundred times the original lending amount in one single year!
As of September, 2022 Cambodian authorities have started enforcing laws on human trafficking and forced labors which are found rampantly in casinos in Cambodia. Several victims are discovered to be Vietnamese citizens who have been deceived to work for them and who discovered later that they have been victims of human trafficking and enslavement. The victims have to work for long hours without getting paid as prior agreements and they all suffer from mal-treatment like being clubbed and beaten up if not working well enough. Their jobs are to lure other victims through online websites and apps into deceptive traps which could be anything from high-waged jobs, easy online loans,...
Getting loans online in Vietnam have never been this easy: All you have to do is to send your ID card or passport and your bank account. Someone may send scans of id cards or passport of someone else to get a loan online for themselves! But paying off these loans have been most likely impossible. So many victims have chosen committing suicide and the victims' families have suffered from terrorism by gangs for the fraudulent loans by the deceased. These gangs recently even terrorize companies that the victims, who have failed to pay the debts, work for. If law enforcements are not enough, we are all not sure of what to come from these terrorist gangs.
It is reported by a prestigious tour operator, travel company in Vietnam that they received a request for a contract from a trading company in China who claimed they were having incentive tours for their employees to Vietnam. They did not care too much about the price, but it had to be luxury travel services in Vietnam to award their good work performers. Emails were exchanged and the travel itinerary along with costs were agreed.
When it came to the terms of the contract the Chinese company demanded two changes:
1/ The Vietnamese tour company has to post to China their licenses along with photocopies of the Director ID cards and/or passport and that their team would visit the office for further talk.
2/ The contract will have to be notarized by a Chinese Notary Office.
The Vietnamese tour operator consulted their lawyer and was informed that the contract had many terms which were inherently risky for the Vietnamese party. But the main purpose of the contract was deceptive and the tour company should decline. No further negotiations or meetings were needed!
The tour operator would like to share their experience with the businesses in travel and tourism industry in Vietnam, and hopefully no one falls to be the victim of these unscrupulous people. If your company or your loved one's businesses happen to be in such a situation like this, please consult experienced lawyers and if there are further evidence, please report to the pertinent authorities.
