Unveiling the Fake Sunscreen Manufacturer: The Scandal Behind Đoàn Di Băng’s Husband’s Arrest

On November 5th, the Investigative Police Agency of Dong Nai Province issued an arrest warrant and detained three suspects: Dinh Van Lien (45, residing in Long Binh Ward), Nguyen Thi Tuyen (44, residing in Tam Hiep Ward), and Nguyen Quoc Vu (48, residing in Ho Chi Minh City, husband of singer Doan Di Bang). They are under investigation for producing and trading counterfeit goods at EBC Dong Nai Medical Factory Joint Stock Company.

According to the police, EBC Dong Nai Medical Factory Joint Stock Company (located in Giang Dien Industrial Zone, Trang Bom District, Dong Nai Province), where Dinh Van Lien serves as Deputy General Director and owner, collaborated with VB Group Trading Service Co., Ltd. ( headquartered at Dai Thanh Binh Building, Nguyen Trai Street, Cho Lon Ward, Ho Chi Minh City) to produce Hanayuki Sunscreen Body lotion. Nguyen Quoc Vu is the CEO and owner of VB Group.

Based on the conclusions of the Ho Chi Minh City Institute of Forensic Science, the SPF index of the sunscreen produced by EBC Dong Nai Medical Factory was only 25.82, reaching just 51.64% of the declared SPF 50 on the packaging.

In January 2025, EBC Dong Nai Medical Factory produced and traded 1,652 units of counterfeit Hanayuki Sunscreen Body lotion, which were then transferred to Nguyen Quoc Vu, CEO of VB Group Trading Service Co., Ltd., for sale.

The actions of Dinh Van Lien, Nguyen Thi Tuyen, and Nguyen Quoc Vu constitute the crime of “Production and Trade of Counterfeit Goods” as stipulated in Article 192 of the 2015 Penal Code.

During the search, the police seized various equipment, machinery, documents, and records related to the production and trade of counterfeit Hanayuki Sunscreen Body lotion by the suspects.

EBC Dong Nai Medical Factory and the EBC Ecosystem

EBC Dong Nai Medical Factory Joint Stock Company was formerly known as E.B.C Giang Dien Cosmetic Co., Ltd., established in November 2014, specializing in the production of cosmetics, soap, detergents, and sanitizers.

With an initial capital of only 2 billion VND, after several name changes, representative changes, and capital increases, by January 2025, the company officially transformed into a joint stock company under its current name. Its capital has increased to 60 billion VND, a 30-fold increase over 10 years.

The company produces cosmetics for various partners, not exclusively for VB Group Trading Service Co., Ltd. However, there is currently no specific information available about other partners besides VB Group.

As for EBC Pharmaceutical Group, established in March 2024 with a registered capital of 15 billion VND, its main business is office management. It also engages in wholesale of food, cosmetic production, scientific research, and technological development in the field of pharmaceutical sciences.

According to business registration updates, the position of CEO at EBC Pharmaceutical Group has changed frequently since 2024. Currently, this position is held by Huynh Do Tuong Vy (born in 2003).

Ms. Vy is also the representative of EBC Green Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company and EBC Global Joint Stock Company.

The Chairman of the Board of Directors of EBC Pharmaceutical Group is Dinh Van Lien. He holds a degree in Chinese Studies and is a pharmacist. Before entering the business world, Mr. Lien worked in various fields, including translation, broadcasting, and teaching Vietnamese to foreign entrepreneurs.

In 2013, he shifted his focus to cosmetic production and distribution, laying the foundation for the later expansion of the EBC ecosystem.

Currently, the EBC ecosystem comprises several entities, including EBC Farm, EBC Factory, EBC Invest, EBC Healthcare, EBC Media, EBC Training and Technology Transfer Institute, and EBC Cosmetic and Health Science Institute.

VB Group: Husband of Doan Di Bang as CEO since July 2024

VB Group was established in April 2021, with its main business being wholesale of household goods. Since July 2024, Nguyen Quoc Vu, husband of Doan Di Bang, has been appointed as the CEO of VB Group.

According to tax records, the company has 10 employees. VB Group is also the operator of the Hanayuki cosmetic brand, frequently featuring Mr. Vu and singer Doan Di Bang on its website.

Besides VB Group, Nguyen Quoc Vu was also the legal representative of VB Universal Trading Service Co., Ltd. and The Gioi Steak Private Enterprise. Both of these companies have ceased operations.

In late May, the Investigative Police Agency of Dong Nai Province initiated a criminal case for the production and trade of counterfeit goods at EBC Dong Nai Medical Factory Joint Stock Company (located in Giang Dien Industrial Zone) for investigation and handling according to regulations.

Previously, several Hanayuki products were found to violate quality standards, including shampoo, conditioner, sunscreen, and facial masks.

Specifically, Hanayuki Shampoo was recalled due to the presence of 2-phenoxyethanol, a substance that can cause irritation if exceeding the limit, and failure to meet microbiological standards. The conditioner from the same brand was also penalized for similar reasons. Notably, Hanayuki Sunscreen Body lotion was found to have an actual SPF of only 2.4, far below the declared SPF 50. G-Thera Amino Anti-Wrinkle Mask was also recalled due to discrepancies between the ingredients listed on the packaging and the declared formula.

The Dong Nai Department of Health, in collaboration with the provincial police, inspected Hanayuki Shampoo and Sunscreen Body lotion. The results indicated that both products were of substandard quality and suspected to be counterfeit. An emergency meeting with the provincial police, Department of Health, and People’s Procuracy of Dong Nai Province agreed to initiate criminal proceedings against the Hanayuki sunscreen case. For the shampoo, administrative penalties were imposed.