Hundreds of students have been taking driver’s tests across Ho Chi Minh City, and then handing their new licenses over to a recruiter who changes the names on the cards and sells them to motorbike drivers, according to a Tuoi Tre investigation.

The ring leader, a man named Cuong in his early 20s, pays students VND100,000 (US$5) per license, which he then sells for ten times higher, at VND1 million.

Tuoi Tre reporters met Cuong on the morning of May 6, as he was directing ten test-takers at the Tan Phu driver training and testing center.

“Remember to study for the theory part of the test, I will not pay those failing the exam,” said Cuong, who comes from central Quang Nam province but now lives in Tan Binh District. “After completing the test, come meet me in front of the gate to get your money. Don’t make a noise or else all of us will be exposed.”

To get to Cuong, one must go through a recruiter like Hieu, who had taken the test several times for Cuong and then went on to enlist college students to sit the exams.

Through one of the recruits, Tuoi Tre reporters reached Hieu by phone on April 25, when he told them to submit photos and a copy of an ID card. “We take care of all procedures and pay related fees for you to take the test,” Hieu said. “After passing the test, just take the money and leave, we will take your licenses.”

Paid students join for a chat before attending a driving test (Photo: Tuoi Tre)

The ID cards are meant as a safeguard to keep the scam from being uncovered.

“This ring has operated for nearly six months,” Hieu said the next day, as he was collecting the documents in the Tan Binh Industrial Zone. “Cuong will not forgive if you leak information about us.”

Much of the operation takes place by SMS.

After turning in their papers, recruits received an SMS from Cuong. He said he would vet the candidates and then let them test twice a week after their first successful exam.

He later texted them the date and time to show up for a test. After the assessment, he texted them where to meet to collect payment. One student, going by the initial M, said, “I have sat the test for nearly two years and gotten 20 driver’s licenses for Cuong.”

As for buyers, they receive their forged licenses a couple weeks after paying Cuong, who targets workers in industrial and export processing zones, as well as those who are too busy to take the test.

The division that oversees the testing, under the city’s Department of Transport, said these licenses are fraudulent.

Hired students fill in a form before a driving test (Photo: Tuoi Tre)

Students are paid VND100,000 for a hired successfull test from a man named Cuong (L) (Photo: Tuoi Tre)