Nhat Cuong Mobile’s software services cost Hanoi over VND7.2 billion

The company, known as Nhat Cuong Mobile, was earlier charged with trading in smuggled mobile phones and other electronic devices. Its general director, Bui Quang Huy, is wanted by the Hanoi City police.

Nguyen Ngoc Ky, director of the municipal Department of Information and Communications, said at a meeting on Thursday that the company has also been in charge of seven purchase packages worth a combined VND12.34 billion (US$526 million), accounting for 0.84% of Hanoi’s IT budget.

He added that the local government has asked the relevant agencies to increase the number of public services available and ensure the normal operations of the software systems offered by Nhat Cuong Mobile.

According to the official, Nhat Cuong Mobile is one of 63 units providing a total of 135 software services for the Hanoi People’s Committee and its departments and agencies.

Earlier this month, the Hanoi police searched nine retail stores owned by Nhat Cuong Mobile, seizing papers and thousands of mobile phones, iPads and their electronic accessories.

The company’s general director and his accomplices were initially found to have organized a transnational smuggling ring, maintaining two sets of accounting books to conceal trillions of Vietnamese dong in revenue.

Founded in Hanoi in 2001 as a phone repair shop, Nhat Cuong Mobile now has nine retail stores and a warranty center in the city as well as an enterprise resource planning center in HCMC.