On August 8, the Da Nang City Police's Economic Security Division announced it had initiated criminal proceedings for industrial property rights infringement. The case file has been transferred to the Da Nang City People's Procuracy, requesting the investigative agency continue processing it according to its jurisdiction.

Previously, the Economic Security Division, in coordination with An Hai Ward Police, inspected the business registered under the woman's name and its associated warehouse.

During the inspection, police seized 3,631 counterfeit products from brands including Crocs, Adidas, Nike, The North Face, Goyard, Dior, Louis Vuitton, and Lacoste. Authorities estimated the consignment to be worth hundreds of millions of VND.

Police inspecting a store containing numerous counterfeit products from famous brands. *Photo: Thanh Huynh*.

The woman informed police that she had only registered the business at the request of a foreigner, for which she received 7 million VND.

In a related development, authorities had earlier inspected a business on Tran Phu Street in Hai Chau Ward, directly managed by a foreigner. This operation uncovered thousands of counterfeit items from brands such as Malvon, Gucci, J. Lindeberg, Titleist, Nike, Hermes, and Hublot, with an estimated value in the billions of VND.

According to the Economic Security Division, many foreign individuals exploit investment and business activities by hiring Vietnamese citizens to act as legal fronts. This tactic allows them to distribute counterfeit goods, infringe on intellectual property rights, and conceal their illicit activities.

Da Nang City Police advise residents against fronting, abetting, or concealing illegal business operations. Authorities stated their commitment to continue inspecting and addressing intellectual property infringement and disguised investment activities.

Ngoc Truong