“12-Ton Chemical Powder Mix Scandal: Wholesale by the Pound, Over 100,000 Orders Fulfilled”

On the evening of June 14, the Tay Ninh Provincial Police announced the bust of a large-scale counterfeit cosmetics production and trading ring, seizing up to 12 tons of fake creams and cosmetics. The ring was led by a woman named L.T.M. D, born in 1991, residing in Ninh Tho ward, Ninh Son ward, Tay Ninh city.

According to sources, the investigating authorities are currently holding multiple individuals, but their identities have not been disclosed as the investigation is ongoing.

However, during the initial interrogation, the group confessed that up to the time of their arrest, they had sold over 100,000 orders of counterfeit cosmetics to consumers nationwide, raking in approximately VND 10 billion in profits. The estimated value of the seized goods is VND 3.5 billion. Throughout their illegal operations, the perpetrators failed to declare, register their product trademarks, or file tax returns with the authorities.

Regarding the takedown of this 12-ton fake cream and cosmetic production and distribution ring, the Police Newspaper (‘Cong an Nhan dan’ or CAND) reported that recently, the Tay Ninh Provincial Police Division of Corruption, Economic, and Smuggling Crimes Investigation discovered that L.T.M.D and N.T.T (born in 1992, residing in Ward 4, Duong Minh Chau town, Duong Minh Chau district) frequently livestreamed on social media to sell cosmetics at extremely low prices. Suspecting that D. and T. might be colluding in producing and trading counterfeit cosmetics, the Police established a specialized case to tackle this issue.

During the investigation, the police discovered that all the goods were counterfeits manufactured and labeled by this group, leading to the formation of a specialized case for its bust.

At 11:00 AM on June 13, the Tay Ninh Provincial Police, in collaboration with the provincial Market Management Division, intercepted and inspected a car with the license plate number 53S -0664 driven by L.V.T. (residing in Tam Long hamlet, Tri Binh commune, Chau Thanh district).

Upon inspection, the authorities discovered that the vehicle was carrying 32 cardboard boxes containing counterfeit cosmetics (mixed creams), weighing 1.2 tons, without any invoices or documents proving their origin. Further investigation revealed that these goods were intended for delivery to Ho Chi Minh City for distribution to consumers.

According to VnExpress, upon inspecting a warehouse in Ninh Son ward (Tay Ninh city), the police caught several individuals red-handed producing cosmetics. At the scene, the authorities seized 20 plastic containers filled with chemicals labeled in foreign languages; 500 kg of solid chemicals; 200 kg of finished creams; 100 bottles of various chemicals; 8 machines for mixing and blending cosmetic creams; 3 cars; and numerous books, anti-counterfeiting stamps, labels, etc.

The woman confessed to the authorities that since 2020, she and her accomplices had been involved in the processing, production, and trading of counterfeit cosmetics. They purchased raw materials such as fragrances, unidentified chemical powders, alum powder, and solvents from dubious sources and used machinery to mix them.

The products were sold by this ring for only VND 50,000-100,000/kg, depending on the type. The goods were also delivered to various intermediaries, who would then affix their labels and resell them on e-commerce platforms for VND 200,000-650,000/kg.

As the investigation expanded, the task force inspected several related cosmetic businesses and confiscated an additional 13 types of products, totaling more than 550 items, along with machinery, over 10 tons of unfinished cosmetics, label printers, bottles, boxes, and other items of unknown origin.