Vu Thi Yen Mai, 36, and her sister Vu Hong Duong, 33, are among the key figures accused of orchestrating an extensive fake perfume ring. This operation allegedly distributed around 100,000 counterfeit bottles of luxury brands, generating an estimated 200 billion VND in revenue since 2025.
The Thanh Hoa Provincial Police Investigation Agency initially prosecuted and temporarily detained Mai, residing in Hoa Lu ward, Ninh Binh province, along with Duong and Tao Thi May, 29, both from Lam Thao commune, Phu Tho province. These arrests occurred five days prior to 20/5.
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Police taking testimony from defendant Vu Thi Mai Yen. Photo: Lam Son
On 20/5, the agency further expanded its investigation, prosecuting three more defendants: Le Thi To Loan, Pham Thi My, and Tran Ngoc Thanh. They face charges of trading counterfeit goods under Article 192 of the Penal Code, in connection with the large-scale fake perfume distribution network operating on social media.
The investigation began by monitoring Zalo and Facebook groups that specialized in selling cheap branded perfumes. Detectives identified several accounts, including "Duong Vu," "Kho si Duong Vu," and "Mai Vu," which consistently advertised perfumes from luxury brands such as Chanel, Dior, Gucci, and Versace at unusually low prices.
Investigators determined that Duong and Mai, biological sisters, were allegedly at the helm of this inter-provincial counterfeit perfume operation. The group reportedly ordered large quantities of fake perfumes from abroad, importing them into Vietnam for distribution via social media. They also actively recruited sales collaborators across many localities.
Police noted that the counterfeit products were meticulously crafted, from the bottles, packaging, and labels to the barcodes, making them difficult to distinguish from genuine items with the naked eye. This sophisticated approach exploited consumers' desire for affordable luxury goods.
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Thousands of fake luxury perfume products seized by police. Photo: Lam Son
On 12/5, Thanh Hoa Provincial Police conducted simultaneous raids at multiple locations linked to the operation. These raids resulted in the seizure of over 1,500 fake perfume bottles, along with numerous documents and equipment used in the counterfeit trade.
Further investigation identified Loan, My, and Thanh as primary distributors of the counterfeit goods in Ho Chi Minh City. These individuals confessed to purchasing the fake perfumes from Duong and May for 160,000 to 250,000 VND per item. They then resold them on the market for 1 to 1,5 million VND, pocketing substantial profit margins.
The Thanh Hoa Provincial Police are continuing to expand the investigation to clarify the roles of all individuals involved.
Le Hoang
