25 tonnes of fake China-made cosmetics sold on Facebook, Shopee in Vietnam

Officers seized as many as 25 metric tons of fake cosmetics from the ring.

As part of their investigation, officers on Tuesday summoned three individuals believed to be central to the racket, including Nguyen Van Chung, 33, from Hoa Lu Ward in Ninh Binh Province, Pham Thi Tuyet, 31, and Le Huu Minh, 33, both residents of Vinh Hung Ward in Hanoi.

During questioning, Tuyet admitted to importing various counterfeit cosmetic products manufactured in China.

The goods were sourced through a foreigner living near the Mong Cai border gate area in Quang Ninh Province.

The counterfeit cosmetics were then marketed at low prices through Facebook to attract buyers, she said.

Also, the investigation showed that after Chung had purchased large quantities of these products from Tuyet, he created multiple accounts to sell them on Shopee, one of the largest e-commerce platforms in Vietnam.

Many consumers unknowingly purchased the fake cosmetics for personal use or resale.

Investigators from the Quang Tri Department of Public Security carried out emergency searches of the suspects’ residences and storage facilities in Hanoi and Ninh Binh.

The raids uncovered 25 metric tons of cosmetic products, all without invoices or legal documentation.

Investigators are expanding their probe into the ring.