Vietnam Busts Large-Scale Counterfeit 'An Cung' Pills and Cosmetics Ring

Police in Thanh Hoa province, Vietnam, have announced the dismantling of a large-scale criminal ring involved in the production and sale of counterfeit 'An Cung' pills and cosmetics. The operation resulted in the seizure of nearly 20 million counterfeit cosmetic products, along with raw materials, machinery, and equipment totaling over 1,000 tons. The investigation began after authorities detected Zalo and Facebook accounts advertising An Cung pills, claiming they were of Korean origin and possessed properties to prevent strokes. Subsequent verification revealed that the operation was orchestrated by a network of individuals spread across Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Tay Ninh province. Initial findings indicate that the suspects did not import finished products as advertised. Instead, they purchased pills, raw materials of unknown origin, and packaging materials, including boxes and labels, from China. These were then transported to Vietnam for packaging and completion. The counterfeit An Cung pills were primarily manufactured using wheat flour, chemicals, and coloring agents. Nguyen Thanh Phuong Tuyen, born in 1988 and a resident of Dong Thap province, identified as the director of Tami Natural Home Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Production Co., Ltd., is believed to be the mastermind behind the production and supply chain. Each finished counterfeit An Cung box was reportedly sold for approximately 105,000 VND within the network, eventually reaching consumers through multiple intermediaries at prices nearing 3 million VND per box. Based on the gathered evidence, Thanh Hoa Provincial Police simultaneously raided eight locations in Thanh Hoa, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Tay Ninh. They confiscated 10,000 boxes of various An Cung products, approximately 300kg of pills (equivalent to over 1 million pills), 3,000 empty boxes, over 20,000 counterfeit stamps and labels, and numerous machines and equipment used for packaging. The Investigation Police agency of Thanh Hoa Provincial Police has initiated criminal proceedings and indicted nine individuals for manufacturing and selling counterfeit food products under Article 193 of the Penal Code. Eight of these individuals have been detained. The indicted suspects include Nguyen Thanh Phuong Tuyen; Nguyen Van The, Bui Thi Nam, Ta Duy Hung, Nguyen Anh Ngoc, Nguyen Thi Nhung, all residing in Hanoi; and Nguyen Thi Hang and Truong Thi Hong Tham, both residing in Ho Chi Minh City. Vu Thi Thuy, also from Hanoi, is subject to travel restrictions and a temporary exit ban due to caring for a child under 36 months old. Further investigations revealed that Nguyen Thanh Phuong Tuyen was also involved in the large-scale production of counterfeit cosmetics. Under the guise of Tami Natural Home Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Production Co., Ltd., located in Tan Duc Industrial Park, Duc Hoa commune, Tay Ninh province, Tuyen organized the production of cosmetics under the Tami brand and counterfeited products from countries such as Australia and South Korea. The counterfeit items included facial cleansers, toners, makeup removers, and lipsticks. Production utilized the company's existing machinery and production lines for mixing ingredients, packaging, and applying labels and branding before distribution. To date, law enforcement has seized nearly 20 million products across 64 counterfeit product codes. The total weight of confiscated goods, raw materials, machinery, and equipment is estimated to exceed 1,000 tons. Thanh Hoa Provincial Police have identified this as the largest scale counterfeit cosmetic production case they have uncovered and combatted. On September 22, 2026, the Investigation Police agency of Thanh Hoa Provincial Police issued decisions to indict seven individuals for "selling counterfeit goods." These individuals include Ca Hoai Luan, Dang Van Nhan, Vo Quynh Nga, Nguyen Tri Manh, Nguyen Thi Phuong, Duong Thi Duc Hanh, and Nguyen Thi Tuong Dung, residing in Ca Mau, Dong Thap, Tay Ninh, and Ho Chi Minh City. The Thanh Hoa Provincial Police also issued an additional indictment against Nguyen Thanh Phuong Tuyen for "manufacturing and selling counterfeit cosmetics."