Two Chinese nationals sent to prison for ATM theft

Illustrative image (Source: AFP/Getty Images)

Hanoi (VNA) – The Hanoi People’s Court on December 2 gave prison sentences to two Chinese nationals on the charge of “using computer, telecommunication and internet networks to appropriate property” pursuant to Article 226b, Clause 2, Point d of the Penal Code. 

Under the sentences, 28-year-old Zhong Dong Ming from Hunan province received a 42-month sentence, and 36-year-old Hu Li Guo from Guangxi province will spend 30 months behind the bar.

According to the indictment, in October 2015, Zhong Dong Ming made friend with Lao Hei, who is also a Chinese national.

In April 2016, Lao Hei met Zhong Dong Ming in Shenzhen city, Guangdong province, and gave him a package containing an Asus laptop, a bank card reader, three San Disk Ultra memory cards, three cameras, 173 ATM-like cards, and other tools.

Lao Hei asked Zhong Dong Ming to use such cards to withdraw money in Vietnam. Zhong Dong Ming then asked Hu Li Guo to go with him.

The two men arrived in Vietnam on April 17, 2016. Under the instructions of Lao Hei via phone, Zhong Dong Ming chose nine out of the 173 cards and withdrew money at ATM machines of the Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV) on Lang Ha Street, Thanh Cong ward, Ba Dinh district, Hanoi.

They successfully conducted 33 transactions worth 64.4 million VND (2,833 USD). However, they were caught red handed by Vietnamese police while attempting to conduct more transactions.-VNA

VNA