Thanh Hoa Provincial Police's Investigation Security Agency recently initiated legal proceedings against Hoang Van Toan, 40, Le Dinh Tien, 30, and ten others. They face charges of "fraudulent appropriation of property" under Article 174, Clause 4 of the Penal Code. This action follows the successful dismantling of special case CT288, which uncovered a large-scale inter-provincial syndicate producing and trading fake bone and joint medicine, led by Toan.

During questioning, Toan admitted, "I publicly advertised a three-generation traditional medicine, but in reality, it did not exist. The medicine itself was unlicensed, and the staff lacked professional expertise."

Nghi can cam dau Hoang Van Toan bi bat. Anh: Lam Son

Becoming a 'divine healer' after just one online course

According to the investigation, Hoang Van Toan, originally from Ba Thuoc commune, Thanh Hoa, was a former bank employee. In 2016, Toan enrolled in an online course on traditional medicine. After a brief apprenticeship at a clinic, Toan began to concoct his own remedies, despite having no deep expertise in pharmacology.

In late 2020, leveraging the Covid-19 pandemic, Toan secured a location and rented a practice certificate from another individual to operate. He then began selling his self-made product, named "Hoang Minh Duong Herbal Bone and Joint Plaster." To expand operations, Toan collaborated with Le Dinh Tien, who was responsible for communications and building the image of a reputable medical system.

The Hoang Minh Duong medicine production process was described by authorities as a dangerous and haphazard operation. The raw materials were not rare medicinal herbs but merely stems, leaves, bark, and various common weeds bought from local residents. At the production facility in Pho 1, Ba Thuoc commune, police seized over 2,5 tons of these raw materials. These were then washed, dried, chopped, and ground into powder under unsanitary conditions. The finished product was packaged in zip bags and even stored in freezers, similar to food, to prevent spoilage before delivery to customers.

Co cay rung duoc thu gom truoc khi che thuoc xuong khop Hoang Minh Duong. Anh: Lam Son

Despite the inexpensive ingredients, the marketing department, coordinated by Le Dinh Tien, promoted the products as "miracle drugs." The group spent billions of VND on advertisements across Facebook and TikTok. They also spliced together footage from television stations and falsely invoked the name of the Association of Traditional Oriental Medicine to build consumer trust.

Inside the headquarters of Hoang Minh Duong Co., Ltd., the sales team was trained using pre-written scripts. Employees impersonated doctors and traditional healers to provide online consultations, promising a 100% cure and complete treatment for various ailments.

80,000 patients bought fake medicine

The primary buyers of this "three-generation traditional medicine" were elderly individuals and poor laborers in rural areas. These victims, suffering from bone and joint pain, were particularly susceptible to the exaggerated claims advertised on social media.

When customers reported side effects such as itching or skin blistering after applying the medicine, the syndicate sent Tetracyclin, an antibiotic commonly used as an eye ointment, for customers to self-treat. This was done despite the inherent risks of complications. Suspect Le Dinh Tien explained, "Patients often experience heat and blistering where the leaves are applied, so we send Tetracyclin to cool the wound immediately."

An analysis of the sales management software revealed that from 2023 to 2025, the syndicate successfully processed nearly 87,000 orders for over 80,000 victims nationwide. The total illicit gains amounted to over 227 billion VND. Beyond financial losses, investigators documented numerous cases where patients suffered from edema, skin necrosis, and other severe health complications after using Hoang Minh Duong bone and joint medicine.

Colonel Le Ngoc Anh, Deputy Director of Thanh Hoa Provincial Police, affirmed, "In reality, Hoang Minh Duong bone and joint medicine holds no medical value whatsoever."

Ben trong nha xuong san xuat thuoc cua Cong ty Hoang Minh Duong tai xa Ba Thuoc. Anh: Lam Son

According to investigators, many individuals within the syndicate were aware that Toan was not a traditional healer and that the remedies lacked scientific basis. However, they continued to participate in advertising, consulting, and sales activities for personal profit.

The Thanh Hoa Provincial Police urge residents to exercise extreme caution regarding medicines of unknown origin that have not been licensed by the Ministry of Health. Unregulated use of self-proclaimed traditional remedies found online can lead to financial losses and serious health risks. In August 2025, the Thanh Hoa Department of Health, in coordination with the Thanh Hoa Provincial Police, conducted a surprise inspection of the Hoang Minh Duong Traditional Medicine Clinic in Ba Thuoc commune. The inspection uncovered several violations, including failing to report changes in practitioners and inadequately listing examination and treatment service prices. Additionally, the facility was found to be advertising medicine without proper circulation permits. Consequently, on 3 September 2025, the Thanh Hoa Department of Health fined the facility owner 82 million VND.

Le Hoang