On 22/5, the Economic Police Department (PC03) of Ho Chi Minh City Police prosecuted Thuan for industrial property infringement.

Police inspect Thale Group company. Photo: Ho Chi Minh City Police

This action followed a raid on 14/5, when PC03, in coordination with Market Management Team No. 3 and Long Truong Ward Police, inspected the headquarters of Thale Group Co., Ltd. at D7 street in the low-rise residential area of Long Truong ward, former Thu Duc City. Thuan served as the director and legal representative of the company.

During the inspection, authorities discovered thousands of counterfeit shoes, sandals, and socks from famous US and European Union brands. The items lacked proper invoices and documentation.

Working with the police, Thuan admitted that he began sourcing unlicensed goods online and from e-commerce platforms around June 2023. He then created social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, which garnered tens of thousands of followers. Additionally, he registered a Shopee store named "thanhstore" to run advertisements and resell the items to customers for profit.

Luu Phat Thuan at the investigation agency. Photo: Ho Chi Minh City Police

Investigators determined that this counterfeit trade has, to date, brought Thuan illegal profits exceeding 3.5 billion VND. Ho Chi Minh City Police are continuing to expand the investigation and track down others involved.

This enforcement action is part of the Ho Chi Minh City Police's 45-day intensive campaign to suppress crime and transform local areas, initiated under the direction of the City Police Director.

By Quoc Thang