Police in Thanh Hoa province launched an investigation on 8/8 into a fraud case at the Tue Nghiem Feng Shui Tattoo and Beauty salon on Nguyen Du street, Hac Thanh ward.

The Tue Nghiem beauty salon is located in a prime location in one of the busiest streets in Thanh Hoa. Photo: Lam Son

Six other branches of the salon chain in Ninh Binh, Hung Yen, Thai Nguyen, and Da Nang provinces were also searched. Authorities have not released details about the mastermind, but over 200 suspects have been summoned for questioning.

According to Senior Lieutenant Colonel Hoang Van Binh, deputy head of the Thanh Hoa provincial police investigation agency, the Tue Nghiem beauty salon was licensed for simple cosmetic tattooing. However, the salon's management falsely advertised that adding feng shui beauty marks and altering the shape, size, and color of facial features like eyebrows, lips, ears, and cheeks could improve customers' finances, career, health, and family happiness.

These advertisements, promising to "unlock fortune," "change destiny," and "improve career prospects," lured many customers to seek their services. Many paid large sums of money for cosmetic procedures at Tue Nghiem's seven locations.

Police have requested anyone who believes they are a victim of these salons to come forward.

Le Hoang