In Vietnam, police bust ring that sold 100,000 fake perfume bottles

Six suspects have been arrested and prosecuted for allegedly running the scheme, which generated more than US$7.6 million in illicit revenue through social media sales.

The investigative police agency under the provincial Department of Public Security has initiated criminal proceedings against six suspects: Vu Hong Duong, 33; Vu Thi Yen Mai, 36; Tao Thi May, 29; Le Thi To Loan, 37; Pham Thi My, 28; and Tran Ngoc Thanh, 32, on charges of trading in counterfeit goods.

According to case files, the operation was uncovered during cyberspace monitoring where officers detected multiple closed Zalo groups named ‘Duong Vu,’ ‘Kho si (wholesale store) Duong Vu,’ and ‘Mai Vu.’

These groups frequently posted images and videos advertising genuine perfumes from well-known international luxury brands at unusually low prices, attracting a large number of buyers and associates.

Authorities said the network was led by Duong, from Phu Tho Province, and Mai, from Ninh Binh Province.

The two allegedly studied popular international fragrance brands such as Chanel, Dior, Gucci, and Versace before ordering counterfeit products from abroad and smuggling them into Vietnam for distribution.

The suspects set up multiple social media accounts and private online groups to promote the products, conduct live-stream sales, and recruit collaborators to expand their distribution network, investigators said.

The counterfeit goods were described as highly sophisticated, with packaging, bottle designs, labels, and barcodes closely resembling genuine products, making them difficult to distinguish with the naked eye.

Authorities said the operation exploited strong consumer demand for luxury goods at lower prices.

From 2025 until the crackdown, the ring allegedly sold around 100,000 fake perfume bottles bearing global brands, generating approximately VND200 billion (over $7.6 million) in illicit revenue.

Based on collected evidence, police in Thanh Hoa Province on May 15 arrested Duong, Mai, and May for investigation on charges of trading in counterfeit goods.

Expanding the investigation, authorities later identified the additional involvement of three suspects in Ho Chi Minh City, including Loan, My, and Thanh.

They were accused of purchasing large quantities of counterfeit perfumes from Duong and May at prices ranging from VND160,000 ($106) to VND250,000 ($166) per bottle, before reselling them for VND1 million ($664) to VND1.5 million ($996) each for profit.

The three suspects were arrested on Wednesday, police said, adding that further investigation is underway.