According to the Economic Police Division of the Ho Chi Minh City Police Department, officers have cracked down on an organized ring involved in the production and distribution of counterfeit branded perfumes.

So far, the Criminal Investigation Agency has indicted 11 individuals as part of an ongoing investigation into violations including counterfeit goods manufacturing and trading, tax evasion, and other related offenses.

Leading the operation were Nguyen Ngoc Tho (40) and his wife Truong Thi Mai Hien (41), both residents of Tam Binh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City. Tho is the director of Nguyen Huong Development Trading and Manufacturing Co., Ltd., headquartered in the same ward.

Investigators revealed that, beginning in early 2024, Tho noticed a surge in market demand for perfumes. He self-studied fragrance blending techniques and, together with his wife, began producing counterfeit perfumes mimicking renowned brands such as Chanel, Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Versace, Burberry, and Dior.

The couple rented a workshop on Cay Keo Street (Tam Binh Ward), purchased machinery, raw materials, bottles, labels, and recruited family members to handle the entire production line  -  from mixing and extraction to labeling, printing, and packaging.

They marketed and sold the products via social media platforms, messaging groups, and express delivery services, distributing widely to provinces and cities across Vietnam.

During the investigation, the Economic Police deployed three task forces to simultaneously search the company office, warehouse, and production site. Authorities confiscated nearly 20,000 bottles of counterfeit perfume and numerous materials used in the operation, including chemicals, alcohol, fragrances, printers, stamping machines, labels, and computers.

Initial estimates by the police suggest the total value of the counterfeit goods in circulation exceeded VND 15 billion (approx. USD 615,000).

Ho Chi Minh City police emphasized their zero-tolerance approach to the production and sale of counterfeit goods  -  particularly products that may affect consumer health and damage brand reputation  -  as part of efforts to restore order in commercial activities and protect the rights of consumers and legitimate businesses.