On 16/1, Doan Huu Luong, Chairman of the Members' Council of TSL Science Co., Ltd.; Ho Thi Thanh Phuong, Executive Director of TSL Company and Avatek Science and Technology Joint Stock Company; and Nguyen Ha Linh from TSL Science Co., Ltd. Hanoi Branch are scheduled to be tried by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Court. They face charges of forgery in official duties and bribery.

96 other defendants, comprising employees from these hai companies and various intermediary businesses and individuals, are indicted for forgery in official duties.

Nguyen Nam Khanh, former Secretary to the Deputy Head of the Government Office, is also implicated in the case, accused of abusing influence over persons with positions and power for personal gain.

Defendant Doan Huu Luong in court this morning. Photo: Quynh Tran

The Trial Panel has summoned 141 individuals and organizations to participate in the proceedings as parties with related rights and obligations. Approximately 140 lawyers have registered to defend the defendants.

Due to the large number of defendants and related parties, the court has utilized the hallway area and its hai largest courtrooms to ensure sufficient seating for all attendees. The trial is expected to continue until 2/2.

Security for the trial has been tightened, with numerous police forces involved in protecting the proceedings. Only those with summonses are permitted to attend.

This case has caused severe consequences, involving TSL Company, Avatek Company, and many related organizations and individuals nationwide. It is under the direct supervision and guidance of the Central Steering Committee for Anti-Corruption, Waste, and Negativity.

In this case, Avatek Company previously conducted product testing for Kera candy, which was involved in a case concerning Quang Linh Vlog and Miss Thuy Tien, and Hiup milk, linked to a counterfeit food production case at Z Holding Company.

TSL Company is authorized to issue product test certificates, covering microbiological indicators, toxins, heavy metals, and nutritional values for items such as food, food additives, seafood, agricultural products, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. These test certificates serve as important legal bases for organizations and businesses to prepare self-declaration dossiers and register products.

A certificate is valid for 12 months. Beyond representing the outcome of mot civil transaction, it also holds legal value in "confirming product quality." It is a mandatory condition for businesses and individuals to obtain authorization from competent authorities to publicly declare or self-declare products for manufacturing and import purposes.

Over 218,000 fake test certificates issued for substandard products

According to the indictment, from 2020 to 4/2025, driven by illicit gain, several individuals at TSL Science Co., Ltd. and Avatek Science and Technology Joint Stock Company colluded with hundreds of intermediary organizations and individuals to create fake test certificates for products that did not meet required standards.

These certificates were generated through various deceptive methods, including not receiving test samples, submitting samples merely to legitimize paperwork, altering technical specifications to meet requirements, or changing testing times.

To attract customers and increase profits, Doan Huu Luong discussed and agreed with Ho Thi Thanh Phuong on the policy of producing fake test certificates to help businesses complete their product declaration or self-declaration dossiers.

During the period from 2020 to 4/2025, TSL Company is accused of issuing over 118,000 fake test certificates to 12,995 businesses and individuals, generating illegal profits of approximately 117 billion VND.

Defendant Ho Thi Thanh Phuong in court this morning. Photo: Tran Quynh

From 2/2023, due to internal conflicts, Phuong separated to establish Avatek Company. By 4/2025, this company is accused of issuing over 102,500 fake test certificates to more than 11,500 organizations and individuals, generating illegal profits of approximately 83.7 billion VND.

After obtaining the fake test certificates, many businesses used them to complete product declaration dossiers at the Food Safety Department (Ministry of Health) or self-declared them at food safety sub-departments, health departments, agriculture and environment departments, and industry and trade departments in various localities.

Former Government Office official accused of complicity

To facilitate the issuance of designated testing licenses, Luong and Phuong repeatedly gave money to Nguyen Nam Khanh, former Secretary to the Deputy Head of the Government Office, totaling nearly 4 billion VND, aiming to influence relevant agencies.

The indictment states that from 2020 to 2025, after receiving the money, Khanh spent approximately 1.5 billion VND on Tet gifts, meals, or "thank you" payments to 21 individuals involved in the licensing process, with each payment ranging from 10 to 50 million VND. Khanh appropriated the remaining amount of approximately 2.4 billion VND.

Defendant Hoang Nam Khanh in court this morning. Photo: Tran Quynh

Regarding the case, the Police Investigation Agency of the Ministry of Public Security has identified many individuals from the hai aforementioned companies, along with 613 intermediary organizations and individuals, who engaged in providing information to create fake test certificates. Additionally, over 24,550 organizations and businesses that used these fake test certificates across various localities nationwide are currently being verified.

The Police Investigation Agency of the Ministry of Public Security has separated this part of the investigation to handle it according to legal regulations.

Hai Duyen