Police in Vinh Long Province have arrested six people as part of an investigation into alleged consumer fraud involving the sale of household appliances through misleading promotional campaigns.
The arrests were carried out on July 8. Those detained were identified as Nguyen Van Quynh, 34, Le Thi Huong, 32, Tran Phuc Cuong, 36, Nguyen Thu Phuong, 34, Nguyen Viet Nong, 38, and Nguyen Thi Phuong, 34.
The investigation began after residents reported that a group had been organising product demonstrations and promotional events for household goods while allegedly deceiving customers into purchasing low-quality products at inflated prices.
The group and seized evidence (Photo: Contributor).
Vietnam's Criminal Police Department worked with the Criminal Police Division of Vinh Long Province Police to investigate the allegations.
Police in Vinh Long Province and several southern localities simultaneously arrested the six suspects and seized 492 boxes containing household goods, more than 5,800 electric cookers and rice cookers, along with other evidence.
Preliminary findings indicate that since the beginning of 2026, the group had purchased low-cost electric cookers, rice cookers, laundry detergent and other household products, most of them manufactured in China.
Investigators allege the suspects targeted rural and remote areas where access to consumer information is more limited. They distributed gift vouchers and organised product demonstrations and promotional events designed to attract large crowds.
Police said the group exploited residents' interest in receiving free gifts and discounted products by making false claims and exaggerating the quality of the goods before selling them at prices many times higher than their actual value.
According to investigators, the suspects purchased each electric cooker and rice cooker for between VND 240,000 (USD 9) and VND 340,000 (USD 13) before reselling them for VND 2.5 million (USD 96) apiece.