Nguyen Ca Re, 38, was found converting USD100 into VND2.26 million in cash at a gold shop which was not licensed for the transaction in Can Tho City. 

Nguyen Ca Re exempted from paying a fine of VND90 million (USS3,850) for illegally exchanging US dollars.

Following the violation, Re was forced to pay a fine of VND90 million by the municipal authorities and had his USD100 bill confiscated.

The gold shop received a fine of VND295 million (USD13,409).

Re recently sent a letter to Can Tho authorities to ask for clemency, citing his financial difficulties.

He is the main breadwinner of his family of six members, while he works as an electrician with a monthly income just above VND3 million (USD129).

Under the current law, foreign currencies can only be traded legally at banks or licensed counters.