Five women who disguised themselves as beggars to take photos were fined VNĐ67.5 million. — Photo dantri.com.vn

HÀ NỘI — The People's Committee of Hội An announced on Tuesday it would issue a fine of VNĐ67.5 million (US$2,870) to five people who disguised themselves as beggars in some areas of the city.

On March 31, images of the five people were posted on social media. They were dressed up as beggars, wearing conical hats, burlap sacks and honeycomb sandals. The culprits had bamboo sticks and clay pots in their hands to collect money while sat on the pavement in Hội An.

The fake panhandlers were revealed to be five women living in Đà Nẵng’s Hải Châu District, including Nguyễn Thị Thu Hiền, born in 1978; Phan Anh Hạnh Trinh, 1984; Trần Thị Minh Thảo, 1977; Trần Thị Hoa 1983; and Nguyễn Anh Thành Tâm 1982. Phan Anh Hạnh Trinh was believed to be the mastermind behind the begging plot.

According to the Hội An City People's Committee, these five people violated Clause 3, Article 64 of the Government’s Decree No.174/2013, stipulating "administrative violations in the field of post and telecommunications, information technology and radio frequency.”

At the police office, the women said they had dressed up as beggars to take photos and post them on Facebook.

However, when the pictures were shared on social media, many people were angry, especially as the country struggles to prevent the spread of COVID-19. — VNS