Counterfeit Production and Distribution Ring Uncovered: Marshall, Fujisu, and Omega Fakes in High Supply

Hanoi Police Crack Down on Large-Scale Counterfeit Electronics Ring

On June 6th, the Hanoi Police Department announced that its Cybercrime Investigation Unit had successfully dismantled a large-scale counterfeit electronics operation, involving the production and sale of fake electronic devices bearing renowned brand names.

The investigation, led by the unit, uncovered a group of individuals engaging in the sale of counterfeit electronic devices, impersonating famous brands, on a massive scale via Facebook. The investigation led to the prosecution and arrest of several individuals, including Le Huu Minh (born 1994, Xuan Sinh, Tho Xuan, Thanh Hoa), Le Huy Phiet (born 1980, Hai Phong), Pham Tu Uyen (born 1996, Hanoi), Nguyen Thi Ly (born 1990, Thanh Hoa), and Tran Manh Tien (born 2003, Tan Yen, Bac Giang).

According to the investigation, the group was led by Le Huu Minh, who assigned Le Huy Phiet, Pham Tu Uyen, and Nguyen Thi Ly to manage the warehouse, packaging, and shipping of the counterfeit goods. The telesales team, hired by Minh, operated from a separate office space.

The group created a Facebook page named “Tin Viet” (link: https://www.facebook.com/61571287183678) to advertise and sell products bearing the Marshall brand, a renowned audio brand from the United Kingdom. On this page, they posted false information about Marshall’s 10-year anniversary promotion, offering discounts of up to 70% on products such as speakers, headphones, and amplifiers. The purchase link directed customers to a fake website created by the group: https://marshall-store.com/Amplification-store.

The products were offered at extremely low prices, just a few hundred thousand VND, which was significantly lower than their actual value. After verification with Rouse Vietnam Law Company, the industrial property representative of Marshall in Vietnam, the police confirmed that all the advertised products were counterfeits, with unclear origins, infringing on intellectual property rights.

Recognizing the sophisticated nature of the operation, which resembled a legitimate e-commerce business, the Cybercrime Investigation Unit conducted surveillance and determined that the group was operating as a disguised e-commerce entity. Their modus operandi was intricate and meticulous, from customer acquisition via Facebook ads to the process of selling, shipping, and payment collection, all conducted online and through logistics companies.

After attracting customers through Facebook ads, the group would direct them to the fake website https://marshall-store.com/Amplification-store, which resembled the authentic brand’s website. Once customers entered their personal information and placed orders, telesales staff would immediately contact them to confirm the orders. The goods would then be packaged and labeled as genuine products before being shipped through logistics companies such as Viettel Post and Giao Hang Tiet Kiem. Notably, the group frequently changed shipping companies to avoid detection and traceability.

Large-Scale Raid and Seizure of Counterfeit Goods

The Cybercrime Investigation Unit of the Hanoi Police Department, in collaboration with the Security Investigation Agency, raided multiple locations used by the group to store and distribute the counterfeit goods.

In two four-story adjoining houses in the Total Department 5 area in Tan Trieu, Thanh Tri, Hanoi, authorities discovered a massive warehouse containing:

• 12,200 smart watches
• 6,800 Marshall headphones
• 30 Ms Kill Bur II speakers
• 1,700 Emberton speakers
• 850 Nillen speakers
• 2,550 Fujisu vacuum cleaners
• 900 Omega watches
• 475 Orient watches

In total, approximately 25,505 counterfeit items were seized.

Additionally, the warehouse contained fashion items, clothing, and accessories without proper invoices or documentation. The investigation agency has sealed the entire batch of goods, with an estimated preliminary value of approximately 22 billion VND.

The Cybercrime Investigation Unit is continuing its collaboration with the Security Investigation Agency to further investigate and expand the case, identifying any other individuals involved, and ensuring that all perpetrators are brought to justice according to the law.