Authorities have busted multiple large-scale operations producing and selling fake cosmetics worth millions, including a high-profile case involving a singer's husband.
In just the past six months, authorities have uncovered a series of counterfeit cosmetic manufacturing and distribution rings operating at multi-million-dollar scales with increasingly sophisticated tactics.
Thousands of counterfeit sunscreen products sold across markets
EBC Dong Nai Medical Plant JSC. Photo: Hoang Anh.
On November 5, the Dong Nai Provincial Police announced that they had issued arrest warrants and detained three suspects: Dinh Van Lien (born 1981, residing in Long Binh Ward, Dong Nai), Nguyen Thi Tuyen (born 1982, residing in Tam Hiep Ward, Dong Nai), and Nguyen Quoc Vu (born 1978, residing in Tan Thuan Ward, Ho Chi Minh City). All are under investigation for the crime of “manufacturing and trading counterfeit goods” in connection with EBC Dong Nai Medical Plant JSC.
Preliminary investigations reveal that EBC Dong Nai Medical Plant JSC, located in Giang Dien Industrial Park, Dong Nai Province, was run by Lien, who held the title of Deputy General Director but was, in fact, the real owner.
The company partnered with VB Group Trading and Services Co., Ltd., headquartered on Nguyen Trai Street in Ho Chi Minh City, where Nguyen Quoc Vu, husband of singer Doan Di Bang, served as General Director, to manufacture Hanayuki Sunscreen Body products.
From January 2025, Lien directed the production and distribution of 1,652 counterfeit Hanayuki Sunscreen Body sunscreen units. Forensic analysis by the Southern Institute of Forensic Science in Ho Chi Minh City determined that the actual sun protection factor (SPF) of the product was only 25.82, or just 51.64% of the SPF 50 claim printed on the packaging.
Tuyen, who also held the position of Deputy General Director, participated in the production of the fake sunscreen products. Meanwhile, Vu was involved in distributing the counterfeit goods.
Investigators concluded that the actions of all three suspects met the legal criteria for the crime of manufacturing and trading counterfeit goods.
Massive seizure of fake cosmetics under famous brand names
Inside the counterfeit cosmetics production facility valued in the billions.
On October 31, the Ho Chi Minh City Economic Police Division reported the dismantling of a large-scale counterfeit cosmetics production and distribution network led by Nguyen Duc Khanh (born 1982, from Tay Ninh Province).
Khanh hired workers to mix and package fake cosmetics at 20 Kenh 4 Street, Tan Tao Ward (Ho Chi Minh City), and operated an additional workshop in Tay Ninh Province. Two accomplices, Khong Duc Hong (born 1992, residing in Ho Chi Minh City) and Bui Thi Mong Thu (born 1987, from Vinh Long), assisted in selling the counterfeit products through social media platforms, online groups, and courier services, distributing large quantities across various provinces and cities.
As part of the investigation, police simultaneously searched three locations: two manufacturing sites and a warehouse.
During the searches, officers seized thousands of counterfeit products labeled with well-known brand names such as Vichy and My Gold Korea Red Ginseng, as well as numerous machines and raw materials. The estimated value of the counterfeit goods, if sold at genuine product prices, amounted to several million dollars.
Two women produced DIY cosmetics, sold over 100,000 orders, earning nearly $400,000
Police search the counterfeit cosmetics production and livestream sales facility.
On June 15, Tay Ninh Provincial Police announced the seizure of a large quantity of counterfeit cosmetics and the questioning of two women, L.T.M.D. (born 1991) and N.T.T. (born 1992), both from Tay Ninh, who owned the fake products.
On June 13, authorities inspected a vehicle rented by D. for shipping, discovering 32 cardboard boxes of mixed cream cosmetics weighing approximately 1.2 tons without any invoices or documentation of origin.
Further inspections at D.’s home and warehouse in Tay Ninh uncovered 20 plastic containers of foreign-labeled chemicals, ten 50-kilogram sacks of solid chemicals, 200 kilograms of finished cream products, 100 bottles of various chemical solutions, three cars, and numerous books, labels, and anti-counterfeit stamps.
At T.’s two storage facilities, police found four individuals labeling and packaging large volumes of cosmetic jars, totaling approximately 10 tons.
Authorities also found 20 cardboard boxes containing unlabeled cosmetics weighing a total of 800 kilograms, along with two label printers and a large volume of packaging materials, all lacking proof of origin.
During questioning, D. confessed to manufacturing the fake cosmetics and selling them to T. at prices ranging from 50,000 VND to 100,000 VND per kilogram (approximately $2 to $4).
T. then labeled the products and sold them via livestreams on e-commerce platforms or delivered them through logistics services at prices between 200,000 VND and 650,000 VND per kilogram (around $8 to $26), depending on the product.
Authorities estimated that the two suspects had processed and sold over 100,000 orders, generating nearly 10 billion VND, or around $400,000.
Over $250,000 earned from counterfeit cosmetics on e-commerce platforms
Police working with Nguyen Van Khanh. Photo: CACC.
On May 8, the Economic Police Division of Bac Giang Province reported the dismantling of a counterfeit cosmetics production facility in Dai Lam Commune, Lang Giang District, led by Nguyen Van Khanh (born 1996).
Khanh and Nguyen Thi Hien were caught in the act of producing and packaging fake products.
At the scene, police seized 2,468 finished products spanning 13 types of cosmetics, including facial creams, acne serums, and deodorants; 104,000 anti-counterfeit stamps; 10,000 bottles; millions of packaging items; and 300 kilograms of raw materials such as alum and mixing liquids, along with various manufacturing and packaging equipment.
These products were openly sold on e-commerce platforms like Shopee and TikTok. From late 2024 until their arrest, Khanh had sold over 100,000 orders, amassing more than 6 billion VND, equivalent to approximately $250,000.
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