Organized gangs in the south-central province of Phu Yen have been forcing local transport operators to pay ‘protection money’ in exchange for the ‘smooth’ running of their business.

Officials from the provincial Department of Police on Saturday contacted Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper to verify reports of a group of extorters who claimed to be working for the local police department.

A recent probe by Tuoi Tre revealed that the gang was led by a local man named Binh, about 45, who never shows his face.

Two of his subordinates are sent to make deals with their targets, namely Minh, 45, and Ty, 40.

In early January 2017, Binh contacted Tuan, a truck driver of a company based in the central province of Quang Ngai, and introduced himself as a police official under a unit of the Phu Yen Police Department.

The man said that Tuan had to pay VND1 million (US$44) per month in ‘protection money.’

“It’s the beginning of the month, you’d better make your payment soon as I am about to leave for a business trip,” Binh told Tuan over the phone.

On the morning of January 17, Tuan drove his truck to a prearranged location in Song Cau Town, Phu Yen, to make the payment.

Binh directed the transaction by phone and Ty was in charge of receiving the money from the truck driver.

After that first transaction, Binh continued to call Tuan to remind him about the next payment the following month.

On February 15, Tuan demanded a face-to-face meeting with Binh to negotiate the monthly payment. However, Binh did not show up at the last minute.

“I was busy working with my superiors,” he later told Tuan on the phone.

According to the alleged police official, the ‘protection money’ could be paid monthly, once every six months, or annually at a fixed price of VND1 million per month, per truck.

After Tuan asked for a reduction, Binh said that the fee was not negotiable.

‘Pay, or else’

Binh’s gang is most active on the route between Ho Chi Minh City and Phu Yen, forcing transport businesses to pay, and threatening to have police units pull over their trucks and ‘spot violations.'

In order to avoid any trouble, many companies comply with the ‘rule.'

Binh usually has his subordinates collect information from local firms and their trucks, which is mostly done in Ho Chi Minh City.

Once he has their contact details, Binh calls his prey to make his threats and force them to pay a protection fee.

In March, Tuan decided to ‘break the rule’ and refuse to make the payment.

“If you don’t pay, your truck will be seized 30 seconds into your journey,” Binh threatened.

“Your one million dong is not that valuable. My team of over 10 members will spend it in just one morning,” he continued.

According to Tuan, his company has legitimate documents for their goods, and his truck is never overloaded.

Since there are no violations, paying the money is unreasonable, the driver said.

However, Binh stressed that the rule applies to everyone.

“If you get pulled over, we will definitely discover a violation on the vehicle,” he said.