49 sentenced for faking English proficiency certificates

Ngo Hong Nam, 40, head of a medical station of Ben Tre's Ward 8, was sentenced to 5 years and 3 months in prison on Thursday for “fabricating an organization’s seal or documents and use thereof.”

The Ben Tre People's Court also handed 48 other people involved either prison terms or probation on the same charge.

From 2016 to 2020, Nam bought 61 fake English and computer literacy certificates for himself and 48 others, according to the verdict and sentencing.

The certificates cost VND900,000-2.5 million ($38.26-106.27) each.

By hiking the price and charging a “bonus fee,” Nam earned himself VND9.7 million in total.

Since then, doctors, pharmacists, nurses and teachers have used these fake certificates to earn employment and promotions, according to authorities.