According to investigators, Ngan is the person directly managing and benefiting from all operations at ZuBu Trading and Services Co., Ltd. and ZuBu Shop, both headquartered in Ho Chi Minh City. She is being prosecuted under Article 193 of the Penal Code for "producing and trading counterfeit food products."

Ngan began her operations in 2021 by contracting factories in Hanoi to manufacture health supplements branded as Super Detox X3, X7, X1000. These items had legal licenses for distribution.

However, she exploited the “free gift” loophole to distribute unlicensed products named “vegetable collagen capsules”. Despite lacking any official quality declaration or circulation permit, these capsules were packaged under the same X3–X7–X1000 branding and advertised as “support products to boost weight-loss effectiveness.”

Each set of products sold for between 870,000 to 1.1 million VND (about $35 to $45), with claims that users could lose 4 to 15 kilograms.

Products found to contain banned substances

On the same day as her arrest, the police confirmed that testing revealed her products were counterfeit, not meeting declared quality standards.

Worse, some samples were found to contain sibutramine and phenolphthalein, both banned by the Ministry of Health due to serious health risks, including heart disorders, digestive issues, and increased risk of cancer.

These products were marketed online as part of “complete weight-loss treatments” and distributed through Facebook, TikTok, and a dedicated hotline, with nationwide delivery.

Despite being labeled as “not for sale” or “gift items,” these capsules were sold in combination with the licensed products. Customers were advised to use the full treatment to “enhance results,” creating the illusion of a legitimate program.

According to investigators, the fake supplement operation was sophisticated and highly organized. Ngan hired employees to handle customer service, social media marketing, and logistics.

Between 2023 and 2024 alone, the scheme is estimated to have generated hundreds of billions of dong in revenue (equivalent to millions of US dollars).

The Criminal Police Department of Ho Chi Minh City is continuing to expand the investigation and is working to clarify the roles of other individuals potentially involved in the distribution network.

Warnings and failed inspections

In May 2025, suspicions about the safety of the products first surfaced after a public dispute between Ngan and another seller, known as Ngoc Collagen. The two accused each other on livestreams of distributing poor-quality or unsafe supplements.

Ngoc Collagen presented test results from a customer, which allegedly confirmed the presence of sibutramine in one of Ngan’s products. This led the Ho Chi Minh City Food Safety Department to prepare an inspection.

However, when authorities attempted to collect samples at ZuBu’s office in Go Vap District, the facility had already closed down.

On May 22, Ngan submitted documentation to authorities, including manufacturing contracts, testing certificates, red invoices, and production licenses. Despite this, the Vietnam Food Administration (VFA) under the Ministry of Health demanded a full-scale investigation.

The VFA requested urgent testing of products X1000, Super Detox X3, and X7 Plus, which were said to be manufactured by Nano Tesla High-Tech Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., based in Dan Phuong Industrial Park, Hanoi.

The VFA also directed the Market Surveillance Authority and relevant agencies to inspect and sample products on the market for evidence of violations.

Pending final results, the VFA issued a consumer warning advising the public not to purchase or consume these products due to the risk of severe health consequences.

Who is Vo Thi Ngoc Ngan?

Born on January 19, 1998, in Binh Dinh Province, Ngan is known as an influencer and former beauty pageant contestant.

Before her arrest, she was recognized for her appearance, bold style, and a social media presence that drew both admiration and controversy. She had over 2.2 million followers on Facebook and nearly 1 million followers on TikTok.

In 2017, she participated in the reality show The Face Vietnam, but withdrew early. That same year, she appeared in the television series Xom Tro Thien Duong and several music videos.

In 2019, she won the title of Second Runner-Up at the Miss Global Entrepreneur Beauty Pageant held in Seoul, South Korea. She later became a professional DJ, performing in nightlife venues across Ho Chi Minh City.

She also ventured into business, selling cosmetics and dietary supplements under her own name and brands.

However, she gained more notoriety than acclaim, often appearing in controversial photos or livestreams and facing backlash for provocative speech and fashion.

She once explained that her public image was often misunderstood due to the nature of her performance work.

The scandal surrounding her weight-loss products now threatens not only her public image but also her freedom, as she faces serious criminal charges related to health fraud.

Dam De - Phuong Thuy - Y Nhuy