The illegal facility was operated by Nguyen Van Khanh, 29, a resident of Dai Lam Commune in Lang Giang District. He was assisted by Nguyen Thi Hien, 22.
On May 7, law enforcement conducted a surprise inspection of the site and caught Khanh and Hien in the act of producing and packaging fake cosmetic products.
Authorities confiscated around 2,500 counterfeit items spanning 13 different types of cosmetics, including cleansing creams, skincare products, and popular brands such as Demi Skin 3 Days acne treatment serum, SEIMY Skin 7 Days Plus, KT'skin serum, and STOPIREX deodorant.
In addition, police seized over 100,000 fake anti-counterfeit stamps, various branded labels, approximately 10,000 empty bottles and containers, and 300 kilograms of raw materials. These included alum, unidentified mixing solutions, and untraceable fragrance compounds. Manufacturing equipment such as a shrink-wrapping conveyor and a stamping machine were also impounded.
Khanh admitted to launching the operation in late 2024. After researching popular skincare and personal care products online, he ordered counterfeit packaging and labels to mimic trusted brands. By the end of last year, he had processed over 100,000 online orders, earning roughly VND6 billion (approximately USD235,700).
The suspects used multiple anonymous accounts on various online platforms, complicating the investigation and enforcement efforts.
Authorities have urged consumers to remain vigilant, especially when purchasing cosmetics online. Shoppers are advised to buy from reputable sellers and ensure that products have clear labeling and traceable origins to avoid potentially harmful counterfeit goods.
