Vietnamese police bust ring producing fake Chanel, Gucci perfumes using alcohol and fragrances

Authorities in Thanh Hóa province have cracked down on a sophisticated operation producing and distributing counterfeit perfumes, leading to the arrest of 13 individuals. The group is accused of manufacturing fake fragrances from well-known international brands like Chanel and Gucci, selling them to consumers, and evading taxes.

The investigation revealed a structured network involving raw material suppliers, manufacturers, packagers, and online sellers. Giang Quế Dinh, identified as a key figure, allegedly operated two companies that imported perfume ingredients from Turkey. From 2023 to 2025, Dinh reportedly sold over 15.5 billion Vietnamese dong worth of these ingredients to 14 clients, including the couple Mai Minh Đức and Nguyễn Quỳnh Trang. This revenue was not declared for tax purposes.

Đức and Trang are accused of mixing the imported fragrances with alcohol and distilled water to create the fake perfumes. They then allegedly sold these counterfeit products to other individuals, including Đào Văn Cảnh, Đinh Thị Phương, Đào Văn Minh, and Nguyễn Thị Thùy Linh. These sellers, operating from different locations, marketed the fake perfumes on e-commerce platforms like Shopee.

The suspects employed deceptive tactics, advertising the counterfeit products as genuine, "hand-carried," "decanted," or "Shopee subsidized" items to mislead customers. The police are continuing their investigation into the full extent of the operation, which has been ongoing for at least since May 2025.