On 20/7, the Quang Ninh Provincial Police Investigation Agency indicted Thuan for industrial property rights infringement, under Article 226 of the Penal Code. This action followed an investigation that began on 30/5.

According to the investigation, around 9h30 on 30/5, the Economic Police Department, in coordination with Hong Gai Ward Police, caught Thuan red-handed trading Rolex, Hublot, and Patek Philippe watches with a customer in the lobby of S2 tower, Sapphire apartment complex, Hong Gai Ward. Authorities seized 18 watches on the spot, lacking invoices or documents proving their origin.

During a subsequent search of apartment 1903 in the same building, which served as a storage facility, Thuan voluntarily surrendered an additional 78 watches. In total, police seized 96 watches bearing various brands, including Rolex, Hublot, Patek Philippe, Bvlgari, Richard Mille, and Gucci. An appraisal by the National Office of Intellectual Property concluded that 87 of the 96 watches, belonging to 18 different brands, were counterfeit. The total value of the fake goods was appraised at over 310 million VND.

Counterfeit watches imitating world-renowned brands seized by authorities. *Photo: Provided by Police*.

Authorities determined that Thuan began selling watches in 2020 under the store name "Thai Trinh Luxury Watch" in Bai Chay Ward. From early 2025, she closed the physical store and transitioned to online sales via her personal Facebook profile and a Fanpage bearing the same name. Despite advertising them as "brand-name" goods, these products were in fact counterfeit items, sold by Thuan at prices ranging from 300,000 VND to 35 million VND per watch.

The Quang Ninh Provincial Police advised the public to exercise caution when purchasing expensive items online. They also called for individuals to report any establishments suspected of trading counterfeit goods or infringing intellectual property rights, in order to foster a healthy business environment.

Le Tan