Vietnamese musician Luong Bang Quang and his wife, social media influencer Vo Thi Ngoc Ngan - known publicly as Ngan 98 - have been officially detained and are under criminal investigation for offering a bribe of 8 billion VND (approximately 327,000 USD) in an attempt to avoid prosecution related to the sale of counterfeit dietary supplements.

The couple, well known in Vietnam’s entertainment and social media circles, was arrested by the Ho Chi Minh City Police following a months-long investigation. Authorities have charged both with "offering bribes" under Article 364 of the Penal Code, while a businessman identified as Le Sy Cuong faces charges of "bribery brokerage" for allegedly accepting the bribe as an intermediary.

From fake weight-loss pills to attempted bribery

In July 2024, Ngan 98 was placed under investigation for manufacturing and distributing fake dietary supplements marketed as weight-loss and beauty-enhancing products. These included brands such as “Super Detox X3,” “X7,” “X1000,” and “Collagen vegetable capsules.”

Despite being registered under her mother Tran Thi Thanh’s name (ZuBu Company Ltd.) and a sole proprietorship under Ma Tuan Vu (ZuBu Shop), Ngan was directly involved in managing the company’s daily operations, while Luong Bang Quang handled financial oversight for the shop.

Authorities allege that the couple generated hundreds of billions of VND annually through these activities, heavily promoted via platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and other fan pages.

After their operations came under legal scrutiny, Quang and Ngan sought the help of Le Sy Cuong, a business acquaintance. In exchange for 8 billion VND, Cuong allegedly promised to “resolve” the case and protect them from criminal charges.

Police are continuing to investigate whether the bribe reached any officials and are tracing the money trail. If confirmed, further legal actions will follow.

Obstruction and asset concealment

During a police search of the couple’s apartment in Cat Lai Ward on October 13-14, authorities discovered signs of intentional obstruction.

When asked to open a locked safe, Quang initially claimed he had forgotten the password and told investigators it contained "nothing important." When prompted to use his fingerprint, it failed to unlock. Despite multiple requests, he repeatedly entered incorrect codes until the system locked itself. A locksmith was later summoned to force the safe open.

Inside, police discovered 80 land use certificates (“red books”) registered in the names of Quang and Ngan, scattered across several provinces. Authorities also seized four savings books totaling more than 3.2 billion VND (about 130,000 USD), 8,000 USD in cash, and other evidence related to the case.

Potential prison sentences of up to 20 years

Legal experts have warned that the couple could face severe penalties.

According to lawyer Dang Van Cuong from Chinh Phap Law Firm, offering a bribe exceeding 1 billion VND carries a prison sentence of 12 to 20 years under Vietnamese law. Since Quang and Ngan are accused of attempting to bribe officials with 8 billion VND, they fall into the harshest sentencing category.

“The act of proposing, offering, or giving a bribe constitutes a crime, even if the intended recipient does not accept it,” Cuong explained.

Cuong also noted that Le Sy Cuong, if found guilty of acting as a bribery broker, could face 8 to 15 years in prison under Article 365 of the Penal Code.

Police have launched a broader investigation into those connected to the couple’s business operations. These include individuals involved in registering the companies, employees responsible for packaging and shipping, and others suspected of helping to produce and distribute the counterfeit goods.

Investigators are also working to determine whether Luong Bang Quang knowingly participated in the sale of fake products. If so, he could face additional charges for his role in producing and trading counterfeit supplements.

This case has attracted widespread public attention, not only because of the high-profile status of the couple but also due to the large-scale fraud and the shocking attempt to bribe law enforcement.

Dam De & Y Nhuy