13 charged in Vietnam over fake luxury perfume production and sales
VOV.VN - Vietnamese police have charged 13 suspects after dismantling a counterfeit luxury perfume network accused of producing and selling fake products bearing brands such as Chanel, Dior and Gucci through e-commerce platforms and social media.
Police in Thanh Hoa province said on July 22 that the investigation began after authorities detected suspicious online business activities across e-commerce platforms and social media.
According to investigators, the suspects created multiple online stores using false identities and fake account information to conceal their activities. Counterfeit perfumes were marketed as “hand-carried imports”, “decanted perfumes” or products sold under promotional campaigns, with prices significantly lower than genuine branded products.
On March 21, police simultaneously searched seven locations in Thanh Hoa province and Hanoi, seizing more than 650 counterfeit 100ml perfume bottles, over 1,500 fake 10ml decanted perfume bottles, approximately 620 litres of perfume liquid, chemicals and fragrance materials, along with four vehicles and other assets.
Investigators said the network operated a closed production chain, from importing fragrance materials and blending chemicals to bottling, applying counterfeit labels, livestream marketing and selling products through e-commerce platforms and social media.
The investigation found that fragrance ingredients were sourced through businesses in Ho Chi Minh City. Authorities alleged that part of the revenue from fragrance sales was not declared for tax purposes, involving transactions worth more than VND15.5 billion between 2023 and 2025.
Police said the suspects mixed fragrance ingredients with alcohol, distilled water and other chemicals before bottling the products in containers bearing counterfeit labels of internationally recognised perfume brands.
Some members of the network specialised in operating online stores, managing advertising campaigns and hosting livestream sales to attract customers.
Investigators estimate that one group involved in the scheme earned nearly VND500 million in illegal profits from online sales between May 2025 and March 2026, while counterfeit products were distributed through multiple sales channels nationwide.
Police are continuing to expand the investigation to identify others involved and clarify individual responsibilities.
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