On 23/5, authorities in Ho Chi Minh City announced the arrest and detention of On Chi Phat, owner of the Chi Phat LUXURY business household, for infringing industrial property rights by selling counterfeit luxury goods. His wife, Nguyen Thanh My, was also prosecuted for the same offense but released on bail.

On Chi Phat and his wife at the investigating agency. Photo: Ho Chi Minh City Police

The arrests followed an inspection in mid-May. Market Management Team No. 3, in coordination with Team 6 of the Economic Police Department (PC03) of Ho Chi Minh City Police, raided Chi Phat LUXURY on Trieu Quang Phuc Street, Cho Lon Ward (formerly District 6). During the inspection, authorities discovered a large quantity of clothing, footwear, handbags, and watches suspected of counterfeiting world-renowned brands protected in Vietnam, such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Dior, Hermes, and Rolex.

The task force seized nearly 2,000 products with a total listed value exceeding one billion dong. At the time of the inspection, Phat could not produce invoices or documents proving the legal origin of the goods.

Fake "luxury brand" watches. Photo: Ho Chi Minh City Police

Investigators determined that from early 2021 until this month, Phat and his wife had systematically imported counterfeit branded goods through contacts on social media. They then sold these items directly from their physical store and online via platforms such as Facebook, Zalo, and TikTok. Electronic data extraction, bank statements, and accounting documents revealed the couple had profited over 4,5 billion dong from early 2024 to the present.

The expert conclusion from the National Office of Intellectual Property (NOIP) confirmed that 17 categories of the seized goods were counterfeit products, infringing on brands protected under Vietnam's Intellectual Property Law. The case remains under expanded investigation, with authorities actively tracking down other individuals involved.

Clothing and footwear bearing famous brands. Photo: Ho Chi Minh City Police

This enforcement action is part of a 45-day intensive campaign to suppress crime and enhance public safety across the city, initiated by the Director of Ho Chi Minh City Police.

Quoc Thang