Raid on Shops Near Han Market, Da Nang: Police Expose “Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing” Scam, Seize Over 1,000 Counterfeit Luxury Items

On October 2nd, the Economic Police Department of Da Nang City Police announced a series of inspections at multiple fashion retail stores in the city center. The operation led to the seizure of over 1,000 items suspected of being counterfeit and infringing on intellectual property rights, with an estimated total value exceeding 1 billion VND.

The Economic Police Department conducted inspections at four retail establishments near Han Market in Hai Chau Ward, a popular tourist area known for its high risk of violations. The inspected stores included Côcô (60-62 Hung Vuong and 106-108 Tran Phu), Milano (134 Tran Phu), and Tiffany (33 Nguyen Thai Hoc).

During the inspections, authorities discovered that these stores were openly selling fashion items such as clothing, footwear, and handbags that appeared to be counterfeit versions of globally renowned brands registered in Vietnam.

Notably, to evade detection, store owners typically displayed only souvenirs and domestic products on the ground floor, while storing infringing goods on upper floors. Some stores even kept their doors closed but continued to invite customers inside, leading them to upper floors for transactions.

The inspections resulted in the confiscation of over 1,000 products of unclear origin, suspected of infringing on intellectual property rights. The total value of the seized goods is estimated at over 1 billion VND.

All evidence has been documented, sealed, and transported to a warehouse for further verification and origin determination. Store owners and relevant employees have been summoned for questioning to facilitate the investigation and legal proceedings.

The area around Han Market, located in the heart of Da Nang, is bustling with domestic and international tourists. The streets are lined with numerous souvenir shops, clothing stores, shoe stores, and handbag retailers.

Previously, at the National Anti-Counterfeiting Conference held on July 7th by the National Steering Committee 389, Mr. Pham Ngoc Son, Director of the Da Nang Market Management Department, reported a recent trend where businesses close their ground floors but continue to operate covertly on upper floors, catering exclusively to customers from disguised tour groups.

Market management officers had to pose as tour guides to infiltrate a suspicious location. Upon reaching the second floor, they discovered the store selling intellectual property-infringing products to international tour groups. Subsequently, they issued a violation report and proposed penalties.