Director of the Maritime Commercial Joint Stock Bank (MSB)’s Thanh Xuân Branch Bùi Thị Hoài Anh is under investigation for allegedly appropriated VNĐ338 billion (US$13.6 million) from eight people. 

More than VNĐ58 billion ($2.3 million) was withdrawn from a customer’s bank account without notice.

The account owner told Tuổi trẻ (Youth) newspaper that she was able to use her account normally after depositing the amount at the bank in the past two years. 

“However, at the beginning of October 2023, I was informed by the Hà Nội City Police that my deposit at the bank disappeared. At that time, the total amount of money in my account was over VNĐ58 billion,” she said.

She reiterated that she did not withdraw the money, authorise anyone nor did she sign any false document related to the deposit. 

Over the past six years, she has repeatedly filed a complaint against MSB and demanded a full refund from the bank.

However, the bank declined to explain the reason for the loss and has yet to return the money to her, saying that they were waiting for results from the investigation agency, she said. 

Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday afternoon, Hà Nội City Police deputy director Major General Nguyễn Thanh Tùng said that there were signs of fraudulent appropriation of property in this case. 

“The police are now working to recover the lost assets of the victims. Preliminary investigation shows that there was no accomplice,” said Major General Tùng. 

MSB is now working with investigation authorities to provide information related to the case. — VNS