Vietnamese DJ Vo Thi Ngoc Ngan, widely known as Ngan 98, has been arrested and detained by Ho Chi Minh City police for her role in a large-scale counterfeit dietary supplement operation.

Authorities are now expanding the investigation to include her husband, singer-composer Luong Bang Quang, who has also been summoned for questioning.

On the night of October 13, officers from the Economic Police Department raided the couple’s luxury penthouse in Cat Lai Ward, seizing numerous documents and physical evidence linked to the production and distribution of unlicensed health supplements.

According to police, Ngan 98 managed an elaborate network that sold counterfeit weight-loss products online, generating an estimated USD 4.9 million (approx. VND 120 billion) in revenue from 2023 to July 2024.

She operated through Zubu Trading and Service Co., Ltd., a company where her mother, Tran Thi Thanh, was registered as legal representative from May 2021 to October 2024. Investigators revealed that low-quality products, such as Super Detox X3, X7, X1000 slimming pills and vegetable collagen capsules, were sold under the company name. Ngan 98 personally controlled the sales pipeline and financial operations.

Authorities also interrogated Ma Tuan Vu (born 1989, Ca Mau), who was listed as the business owner of Zubu Shop, based in District 5, Ho Chi Minh City. However, it was Luong Bang Quang who managed the finances and operations of the store.

In addition, police found that some companies supplying the fake supplements were located in northern Vietnam. These manufacturers sent goods and fabricated quality certificates directly to Ngan’s warehouse in HCMC, where her staff received them. Her mother would sign product declarations, which were returned to the manufacturers, and used by Ngan to sell products via livestreams on social media platforms.

The investigation is ongoing, with authorities continuing to trace the network of suppliers and associates.

Before her arrest, Ngan 98 was known for her lavish lifestyle, celebrity marriage, and multi-stream business empire that spanned cosmetics, health supplements, real estate, and entertainment.

She gained media attention in 2016 as a model and later became runner-up at the Miss Vietnam Business pageant. Soon after, she pursued a career as a DJ, performing at events across Vietnam with reported appearance fees between USD 2,800 and 4,000 (VND 70–100 million).

Her business ventures and endorsements made her a controversial online personality. She frequently boasted about her wealth, including high-end properties, luxury cars, and designer goods.

In 2022, she and her husband reportedly put down USD 870,000 (VND 21 billion) to acquire nine plots of land across HCMC, flaunting their land deeds online. A year later, she showcased a USD 3.3 million (VND 80 billion) penthouse, complete with upscale interiors and panoramic city views.

She also made headlines for gifting herself a Maserati MC20 convertible worth around USD 880,000 (VND 22 billion), joining a collection that included luxury models such as the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 4MATIC Coupe.

Celebrity couple under legal spotlight

In their personal lives, Luong Bang Quang played an active role in supporting his wife’s livestream business, often appearing with her to boost engagement. He gradually scaled back his music career to invest in joint ventures and accompany Ngan to performances and business events.

However, the couple also attracted significant public scrutiny, frequently making headlines for controversial statements and public stunts. Many referred to them as “Vietnam’s most scandal-ridden showbiz couple.”

Now, with Ngan 98 detained, Luong Bang Quang’s role is under formal investigation. While no official charges have been filed against him yet, he has remained silent on social media since the scandal broke.

Investigators continue to probe deeper into the financial and legal responsibilities of all parties involved, raising questions about the legitimacy of the couple’s lavish lifestyle and multi-million-dollar businesses.

Dam De