The silent war to protect consumers

Producing and trading in counterfeit goods is a serious violation of the law, not only negatively affecting the economy but also directly threatening public health. Faced with this situation, the Economic Police force of the Provincial Public Security has resolutely deployed many synchronous solutions to effectively combat this, contributing to protecting the safety of the market and the health of the people.

Recently, on social networking platforms, including Facebook, there have been many advertisements for a page called "Dinh Thien Ly - Female Hormone Expert". Following the page, viewers see very attractive slogans such as: "Live like a flower: No competition, no resentment, no arrogance, just shine with your own fragrance and color". "I am Dinh Thien Ly, I am always here, listening and sharing with you, I love you!".

Facebook account “Dinh Thien Ly - Female Hormone Expert” regularly posts information selling functional food products called Hebe Luna.

Accompanying that are eye-catching images and advertisements about the miraculous functions of a functional food product called Hebe Luna produced and announced by Tacopha Pharmaceutical Company Limited. The product is advertised to help improve female hormones, reduce symptoms of hot flashes, insomnia, skin aging, dry skin, wrinkles, and physiological decline due to decreased female hormones.

An advertisement about the uses of the Hebe Luna functional food product on the page "Dinh Thien Ly - Female Hormone Expert".

However, with a keen eye, the detectives of the Department of Investigation of Crimes on Corruption, Economy , Smuggling, and Environment (Department of Economic Police) of the Provincial Police quickly saw the abnormalities in the information posted on the page. After nearly 2 months of investigation, the detectives of the Economic Police Department of the Provincial Police collected sufficient evidence to show that this was a production and trading line of counterfeit functional foods.

An advertisement for ingredients that are not present in the Hebe Luna dietary supplement product.

On August 2, the Economic Police Department of the Provincial Police issued decisions to prosecute the criminal case, prosecute the accused, and urgently search the residence and workplace of Dinh Thien Ly, residing in Hong Gai ward, Quang Ninh province, who is the director of Tacopha Pharmaceutical Company Limited, owner of Lacosme Pharma Company Limited, and Dang Thu Trang, residing in Hong Van commune, Hanoi city, who is the director and legal representative of Gold Care High-tech Pharmaceutical Company - the unit that produces fake functional food products according to Dinh Thien Ly's order, seizing nearly 41,000 boxes of functional food counterfeited by the subjects.

Subject Dinh Thien Ly at the police station.

Initial investigation results show that the case is typical of the current methods of criminals producing and trading counterfeit goods. The subjects took advantage of legal loopholes to self-declare the quality of Hebe Luna functional food products; then took full advantage of e-commerce platforms and social networks to purchase raw materials, produce and distribute products that were not in accordance with the initial declaration.

The police agency served the decision on the subject Dang Thu Trang.

Captain Nguyen Van Tuan, Deputy Head of the Prevention and Investigation Team for Economic, Corruption and Environmental Crimes in the fields of health, education and other fields, Economic Police Department of the Provincial Police, said: This group of subjects produces in one place, stores in another place, and directs on cyberspace, so when determining the behavior and classifying the subjects, we encounter many difficulties. We have deployed 6 working groups in the province and neighboring provinces, simultaneously inspecting, arresting and confiscating all counterfeit products . Inspections at warehouses and production sites show that not only are the production facilities and storage facilities not guaranteed, but the individuals involved in the production and packaging process also do not have the required diplomas and certificates. Through inspection, the product does not have the same effect as the information on the packaging. In coordination with the Institute of Criminal Science ( Ministry of Public Security ), we have discovered prohibited substances in the product's ingredients.

The provincial police investigation agency searched the warehouse and fake functional food production facility of Dinh Thien Ly and Dang Thu Trang in Hung Yen province.

According to authorities, the methods of counterfeit producers and traders are increasingly sophisticated. In addition to dividing the production and distribution stages into many localities, even across borders. Criminals producing and trading counterfeit goods also make the most of science and technology to fake labels and packaging to deceive authorities.

Lieutenant Colonel Bui Duy Hung, Head of the Department of Investigation of Crimes on Corruption, Economy, Smuggling, and Environment, Provincial Police, said: Following the direction of the Prime Minister in Official Dispatch No. 65/CD-TTg: On launching a peak period to fight against and repel smuggling, trade fraud, counterfeit goods, and infringement of intellectual property rights, along with the directions of the Ministry of Public Security and the Provincial Steering Committee 389, the unit has proactively grasped the situation, identified new tricks of criminals, the Economic Police Department has advised the Provincial Police Director to direct the police force of the whole province to focus on fighting, arresting, and prosecuting subjects and cases related to the production of counterfeit goods and violations of food hygiene and safety. At the same time, the Economic Police force has proactively coordinated with functional sectors, professional departments, and the Ministry of Public Security to establish a special project, resolutely fight to destroy and arrest all trafficking and production lines of counterfeit and poor-quality goods circulating in the area.

The Economic Police Department, Provincial Police coordinated with relevant agencies to destroy more than 25 tons of contaminated food. (June 2025)

Since the beginning of the year, the Economic Police force in the province has arrested and prosecuted 28 cases with 52 defendants for smuggling, trade fraud, counterfeit goods and banned goods. The biggest challenge today lies not only in sophisticated tricks, but also in the speed of change in technology, making detection and evidence collection more difficult. Each successful case is the result of the Economic Police force's perseverance, flexible response and fearless spirit.

Hong Viet

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/cuoc-chien-tham-lang-bao-ve-nguoi-tieu-dung-3371264.html