Ngo Binh Son, former accountant of an Agribank branch in Thanh Hoa Province, allegedly took more than VND21 billion (over USD1 million) from customer accounts.

Ngo Binh Son

According to the investigative agency, Son, born in 1983, fled after it was found that he took VND21,688 billion (USD1.04 million) directly from the accounts, and appropriated VND70 million (USD3,359) of interest from these accounts.

After Son fled, Thanh Hoa provincial police issued a warrant for his arrest.

He was found in hiding out in in Phnom Penh at the house of a Vietnamese friend living there. He was making preparations to flee to a third country, but with the help of the Cambodian police, he was arrested and extradited.

Son confessed that he had been a heavy gambler, and took the money to cover his debts.

According to his statement he set up six false accounts and deposited the money and interests from valid accounts into them.

He also admitted to having made prepared plans to abscond to his wife\'s hometown in Thailand. However, he was forced to go to Cambodia when his crimes were discovered.

As Son awaits trial, further investigations are under way to determine if any other employees at the bank can be held liable.