When taken in for questioning, Vo Thi Ngoc Ngan, also known as Ngan 98, continuously screamed and resisted arrest. Her husband, singer-songwriter Luong Bang Quang, was also found to be stalling and obstructing the investigation and the search process.

luong bang quang ngan 98 4.png
Luong Bang Quang and 80 land title deeds, along with 4 savings books, were seized by authorities. Photo: CACC

The Ho Chi Minh City Economic Police Department is expanding its investigation into Vo Thi Ngoc Ngan (born 1998, originally from Binh Dinh, now living in Cat Lai Ward, Ho Chi Minh City) and her accomplices for the crime of “producing and trading counterfeit goods as food products.”

Authorities found that Ngan 98 refused to cooperate, ignored summons, resisted authorities, and provided evasive statements during questioning.

The police are also working with Luong Bang Quang (born 1982) and several others to clarify their involvement. Investigators noted Quang’s evasive behavior, which hindered the investigation.

Ho Chi Minh City Police had been investigating Ngan 98 and her associates for months under a special operation.

According to Lieutenant Bui Van Manh of Team 6, Economic Police Division, Ngan 98 is a social media influencer who frequently relocated, lived in upscale condominiums, and employed various tactics to evade law enforcement. When summoned, she screamed and resisted, forcing police to use coercive measures under legal regulations.

Lieutenant Manh stated that surveillance involved advanced technology and coordination among multiple forces to uncover hidden evidence the suspects were concealing.

Luong Bang Quang Ngan 98 5.png
Ngan 98 admitted to managing ZuBu Company’s sales operations, while Luong Bang Quang oversaw retail at ZuBu Shop. Photo: CACC

Investigators intercepted Ngan 98 and Quang while they were traveling and initially invited them for questioning. Officers seized both of their phones as part of the operation.

However, Ngan 98 did not cooperate and began screaming, leading to her forced transfer. At the police station, she initially gave vague and uncooperative answers but later admitted her actions.

Quang also obstructed the investigation. When questioned alongside Ngan, he was evasive. Ngan later admitted she managed the sales and financial operations of ZuBu Trading and Services Co., Ltd., registered under her mother’s name at 154 Pham Van Chieu Street. Meanwhile, Quang managed ZuBu Shop on Nguyen Trai Street, under the name Ma Tuan Vu.

On October 13 and 14, economic police and the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Procuracy searched the couple’s apartment in Cat Lai Ward. Quang was present during the search.

When police discovered a safe and asked Quang to open it for asset verification, he claimed the contents were unimportant and said he didn’t remember the password. He was asked to use his fingerprint, which was accepted, but the safe could not be opened due to a broken handle.

luong bang quang ngan98 1.png
Luong Bang Quang witnessed the house search on October 13. Photo: CACC

luong bang quang ngan 98 3.png

Police sealed and seized the safe containing the couple’s assets. Photo: CACC

luong bang quang ngan 98 2.png
Luong Bang Quang watched as police attempted to open the safe. Photo: CACC

Despite his repeated claims that the safe was empty, his behavior raised suspicions. Officers brought in a locksmith to the luxury apartment. Quang was asked to enter the password but entered it incorrectly twice, causing the safe to lock automatically.

Eventually, he entered the correct password, but the safe still wouldn’t open due to a technical fault. Authorities sealed it and transported it to headquarters for further inspection.

On October 14, police summoned Quang again to witness the safe being opened. Inside were 80 land title deeds showing the couple’s ownership of properties across multiple provinces, four savings books totaling approximately 3.2 billion VND (around 130,000 USD), 8,000 USD in cash, and other incriminating evidence. Two luxury cars were also confiscated.

According to lawyer Le Huu Nghia from the Ho Chi Minh City Bar Association, Vietnam’s Penal Code strictly punishes uncooperative offenders while offering leniency to those who confess and cooperate with investigators, per Clause 1, Points c and d, Article 3 of the Penal Code (amended in 2017 and 2025).

Therefore, obstructive behaviors such as screaming, resisting, or giving evasive answers by Vo Thi Ngoc Ngan, and Quang’s delay tactics during searches, if criminally prosecuted, may disqualify them from receiving sentence reductions under Article 51, such as “sincere confession and remorse” (Point s) and “active cooperation with authorities” (Point t).

Worse still, cunning or aggressive actions aimed at concealing or evading crimes may be considered aggravating circumstances under Point p, Clause 1, Article 52 of the Penal Code.

Dam De