Over 8 Million Products, Illicit Profits of Trillions of Dong
Suspect Phan Thi Mai, Director of Mailisa Beauty Clinic LLC. Photo: BCA.
The Ministry of Public Security’s Investigation Agency has pressed charges against Phan Thi Mai, Director of Mailisa Beauty Clinic LLC, her husband Hoang Kim Khanh, and six other suspects for smuggling. The investigation into the Doctor Magic cosmetics network, concealed through a web of satellite legal entities, has been expanded.
According to the Police Department for Investigation of Corruption, Economic, and Smuggling Crimes (C03), Mai orchestrated the entire distribution network, while Khanh managed the legal façade. Through convoluted contracts and a “legalized” portfolio, the couple established a seemingly legitimate business chain, successfully concealing years of smuggled cosmetics operations.
With its sophisticated disguise, Mailisa expanded to 17 nationwide branches, distributing over 8 million Doctor Magic products across nearly 100 SKUs. The three flagship products, M01, M03, and M23, alone sold 3.2 million units, generating illicit profits of trillions of dong by rebranding low-cost cosmetics as premium items through flashy packaging, aggressive advertising, and an image of entrepreneurial success.
Investigators determined that the products were actually manufactured in Guangzhou, China, failing quality standards and CFS certification. The suspects colluded with Chinese partners to fabricate contracts, route shipments through Hong Kong, forge declarations, label products as “Made in Hong Kong,” and falsify international payment documents.
The shipments were then legalized through MK Skincare, owned by Khanh, allowing 162 Doctor Magic products to enter Vietnam’s market at prices far exceeding their actual value.
Voluntary Submission of 300 Billion Dong to Mitigate Consequences
During searches and investigations, authorities seized: 3 billion dong in cash, 400,000 USD, 300 taels of SJC gold, 100 land-use certificates, and numerous high-value assets, including 12 supercar registrations.
In addition to the seized assets, Mai and Khanh voluntarily submitted 300 billion dong to mitigate the consequences of their actions.
Following the case’s exposure, the Drug Administration of Vietnam ordered the recall of all 162 Doctor Magic products and warned consumers to discontinue use to avoid skin allergies and infections.
Preliminary investigations reveal that from 2020 to 2024, the suspects smuggled low-cost cosmetics from Guangzhou, relabeled them as Hong Kong-made to legitimize their origin, and marketed them as premium foreign products to exploit domestic consumer preferences.
The illicit profits, calculated from just 3 out of 100 flagship products, already amount to trillions of dong, underscoring the case’s massive scale.
The Ministry of Public Security is expanding its investigation into individuals and entities linked to the Mailisa ecosystem and the entire Doctor Magic supply chain.
Nationwide Recall of 162 Mailisa Cosmetic Products Announced
At the recommendation of the Head of Cosmetics Management Department – Drug Administration Agency, the Agency has issued a decision to recall multiple cosmetic products from MK Skincare Manufacturing Trading Service Import-Export Co., Ltd.
“Recalled Yet Still Rampant: Affordable Luxury Cosmetics from Mrs. Mailisa’s Husband’s Brand Continue to Flood the Market”
Despite the official recall order issued on November 25th, which withdrew all product announcements and suspended the circulation of MK Skincare products distributed by the husband of Phan Thị Mai (Mailisa), these products continue to be widely advertised and sold.
Exposing Mailisa Couple’s Billion-Dollar Scheme: Cheap Chinese Cosmetics Repackaged as Premium Foreign Products
Authorities have preliminarily determined that the couple, Mr. and Mrs. Phan Thi Mai, colluded with Chinese nationals to forge contracts and alter the origin of cosmetics (from Guangzhou, China to Hong Kong) to obtain CFS certification in Hong Kong, subsequently smuggling the products into Vietnam.
“Before the Raid: Mailisa Boss Livestreamed, Claiming ‘Nearly $80M in Annual Taxes Paid, Legitimate Business, No Money Laundering or Illegal Skin Whitening Cream Sales’”
Before the widespread raids on her establishments, Ms. Phan Thi Mai, the owner of Mailisa Beauty Clinic, asserted that the recent rumors surrounding her business were acts of unfair competition.
Police Raid Two Mailisa Beauty Clinics in Ho Chi Minh City and Dak Lak
At the helm of Mailisa are the dynamic duo, CEO Phan Thị Mai and COO Hoàng Kim Khánh, whose visionary leadership drives the company’s success.
