Popular Vietnamese DJ Ngan 98 arrested over counterfeit supplement scheme

Ngan 98 was identified as the operator of Zubu Trading & Services Co. Ltd. and the Zubu shop.

According to investigators, although the company and the shop were officially registered under the names of her mother, T.T.T., and another individual, M.T.V., respectively, Ngan directly oversaw all operational, financial, and business activities, and personally benefited from the proceeds.

Starting in 2021, Ngan allegedly collaborated with factories in Hanoi to outsource the production of weight-loss supplements, such as Super Detox X3, X7, and X1000.

While these products were registered and approved for circulation on paper, Ngan is accused of using them as a cover to sell an unlicensed product called vegetable collagen pills.

Investigators revealed that the collagen product was not approved for sale and had no registered product documentation.

Despite this, Ngan had the pills packaged and labeled under the same X3, X7, and X1000 brands, and advertised them as enhancing the effectiveness of weight loss when used alongside the main products.

She labeled the packaging 'free gift, not for sale' to evade regulatory detection, but in practice, she sold them as part of complete weight-loss packages and encouraged customers to use both together for faster results.

The products were shipped from the factories in Hanoi to Zubu shop’s warehouse in Ho Chi Minh City, and then distributed through Facebook, TikTok, and Zubu Trading & Services Co. Ltd.'s hotline.

Customers were advised to purchase weight-loss regimens promising a reduction of four to 15 kilograms, with each set including a box of X3/X7/X1000 and a packet of collagen pills, priced between VND870,000 (US$33) and VND1.1 million ($41.8).

The proceeds were transferred through multiple bank accounts belonging to Ngan’s relatives and employees in an attempt to conceal the flow of money, before eventually being funneled into her personal account.

According to data from couriers, revenue from this operation reached hundreds of billions of Vietnamese dong during 2023–24 alone. (VND100 billion = $3.8 million)

Testing by the Institute of Criminal Science under the Ministry of Public Security confirmed that the products manufactured and sold by Ngan did not meet declared quality standards and were classified as counterfeit.

Some samples of the collagen pills were found to contain sibutramine and phenolphthalein—substances banned in food products due to risks of heart disorders, high blood pressure, digestive issues, and potential cancer risks.

Police officers said that during questioning, Ngan was uncooperative, gave evasive statements, and attempted to shift blame onto others.

However, evidence from financial records, delivery data, manufacturing contracts, and employee testimonies all confirmed that Ngan was the mastermind and directly operated the entire counterfeit food production and distribution scheme.

The investigation is ongoing, with police working to determine the roles of other individuals involved.

Ngan 98, 27, is from the former Binh Dinh Province, now part of Gia Lai Province. 

She initially gained online attention for her provocative videos, revealing photos, and controversial statements on social media.

Her name became widely known after she entered a public relationship with singer Luong Bang Quang.