Vietnam Internal Fraud Cases: Common Types by Job Role and Method

bigVUN
Nov 22, 2024
3 min read

Updated: Oct 22

In recent years, Vietnam internal fraud cases have revealed how employees in trusted positions misuse their authority for personal gain. These hidden risks exist across departments and often go unnoticed until serious damage is done.

In many companies, individuals in key positions or those with special trust from the general director often possess certain powers, from signing contracts to managing company assets and expenses. This authority, if left unchecked, can lead to fraudulent behavior.

This article analyzes job roles that are vulnerable to internal fraud, common types of misconduct, and key points for prevention based on real patterns seen in internal control in Vietnam companies.

1. Secretary, Assistant, Interpreter – High Risk in Vietnam Internal Fraud Cases

Duties: Close access to executives, often influencing procurement and vendor selection.

Types of Fraud:

Receiving under-the-table commissions after contracts are signed
Taking monthly kickbacks (5–10%) from suppliers or service providers
Using company credit cards or entertainment budgets for personal use
Privately selling scrap materials without returning the money to the company
Manipulating salary increases for members of a personal inner circle

2. HR and Admin – Vulnerable Role in Vietnam Employee Fraud Prevention

Duties: Recruiting temp workers, managing canteen services, ordering office supplies, and arranging company vehicles.

Types of Fraud:

Inflating service prices and receiving a 10% commission
Falsifying headcount or overtime hours
Reporting inflated meal counts for worker meals

3. Payroll and Payment Accountant – Target for Internal Control in Vietnam Companies

Duties: Handling monthly payments to vendors and employee payroll.

Types of Fraud:

Colluding with the purchasing team to process fake payments
Forging documents and worker time data for illegal disbursements

4. Procurement Staff – Common Source of Vietnam Procurement Fraud

Duties: Sourcing packaging, raw materials, and industrial supplies.

Types of Fraud:

Collaborating with secretaries and assistants for kickbacks
Registering vendor companies under relatives’ names to sell to their own company
Inflating quantity needs and collecting monthly commissions

5. Asset and Equipment Managers – Hidden Threats in Vietnam Internal Fraud

Duties: Managing maintenance and repairs of company machines and equipment.

Types of Fraud:

Taking company machines offsite for "repairs" and selling parts
Overstating maintenance costs
Falsifying breakdowns that don’t actually require third-party repair
Deliberately damaging equipment and colluding with vendors for commission

6. CapEx Buyers, Secretaries – Fraud via Inflated Asset Procurement

Duties: Purchasing large equipment or movable assets.

Types of Fraud:

Colluding with suppliers to inflate pricing and share the excess amount

7. Import–Export Officers – Logistics-related Fraud Risk in Vietnam

Duties: Managing inbound shipments of raw materials and outbound finished goods.

Types of Fraud:

Taking 10% kickbacks from logistics and lifting service providers
Falsifying customs clearance costs to overcharge the company

8. IQC Staff – Fraud in Quality Control and Supplier Management

Duties: Checking materials, parts, and semi-finished goods before production or storage.

Types of Fraud:

Accepting bribes from suppliers to ignore product defects
Allowing incorrect or low-grade materials to pass
Skipping formal inspection procedures to accelerate warehousing
Covering up supplier quality issues to maintain the vendor relationship

9. Factory Staff & Workers – Everyday Fraud Often Overlooked

Includes: Factory managers, team leaders, workers

Types of Fraud:

Doing personal work during paid overtime hours (e.g., online business, freelancing)
Leaving the workplace during shifts but returning only for clock-in/out
Stealing easily sold company items

Even minor fraud can severely damage employee morale and trust. Establishing strict internal control in Vietnam companies is critical to protect business integrity and sustainability.