Raising public awareness - a solution to prevent multi-level marketing

(Baothanhhoa.vn) - Multi-level marketing activities have always been a topic of public interest for many years. This is a legal business model, permitted by law, and many businesses have operated transparently, contributing positively to the market. However, many subjects have taken advantage of the name of multi-level marketing to transform it into a fraudulent tactic, causing financial losses and eroding people's trust. Therefore, raising public awareness is considered a sustainable "shield" to prevent and stop these dangerous transformations.

The fleet of "luxury cars" of the subjects in the fraud and money laundering ring through the foreign exchange trading floor Fnory.com in early 2025 was arrested by Thanh Hoa authorities.

According to statistics from the Department of Industry and Trade, there are currently 15 enterprises licensed to operate multi-level marketing with more than 17,000 participants in the province. Herbalife Vietnam is the largest enterprise, with a revenue of more than VND 188 billion and more than 5,700 participants. In contrast, Kyowon The Orm Vietnam only achieved VND 94 million in revenue, while Elken International only had 25 participants. Notably, Best World Company Limited ceased operations in Thanh Hoa in August 2024 due to ineffective business. These figures show that the scale of multi-level marketing in Thanh Hoa is quite large, spread across many areas, requiring regular and strict management and supervision.

In 2024, the Department of Industry and Trade coordinated with relevant agencies to inspect the operations of 7/15 multi-level marketing enterprises. The results showed that the inspected units complied with legal regulations. Notably, no complaints or petitions related to multi-level marketing activities were recorded throughout the year. This is a positive signal, reflecting the effectiveness of management work, and at the same time showing that people's awareness of legal multi-level marketing has clearly changed.

However, the risk of multi-level marketing is still latent and complicated. When traditional multi-level marketing activities are tightened, many subjects have switched to disguised models, enticing people to participate in investing in virtual currency, online stocks, foreign exchange transactions... These are sophisticated forms of fraud, causing thousands of billions of dong in damage, causing many people to fall into debt and deadlock.

Faced with that situation, Thanh Hoa has identified propaganda as a key solution. From 2021 to present, the Department of Industry and Trade has organized many propaganda conferences in localities across the province..., attracting thousands of officials and people to attend. The content focuses on clearly distinguishing legal multi-level models from illegal variations; warning against easily confused tricks such as disguised affiliate marketing, calling for "easy work, high salary", exaggerating product benefits or inviting "super-profit" investments. Thanks to that, many people have gradually understood that multi-level marketing is not a way to "get rich quick" as enticed, but a commercial activity that requires skills, perseverance and compliance with the law. Increased vigilance has helped significantly limit the risks from these tricks.

At the same time, the police and market management forces also increased inspection and supervision of establishments. The provincial police directed units to grasp the situation, coordinate with functional forces to detect and handle acts of taking advantage of organizing seminars, promotions, and giving gifts to deceive and sell poor quality goods of unknown origin, causing insecurity and disorder. All cases with signs of criminality were investigated and strictly handled according to the law.

The provincial Market Management Department also directed local teams to strengthen control over multi-level sales activities, product consulting and introduction, especially mobile sales; strictly handle violations of labeling, trade promotion, and trading of smuggled goods of unknown origin. At the same time, publicize hotline numbers to communes, wards, villages, and hamlets so that people can promptly report and denounce violations when they discover them.

According to the representative of the Department of Industry and Trade, to ensure a transparent multi-level business environment and minimize the risk of distortion, there needs to be close coordination between specialized agencies and local authorities in monitoring and strictly handling organizations and individuals who assist in illegal acts. In the context of the current 2-level local government operating with the goal of being closer to the people, the innovation of propaganda content and methods becomes even more urgent. When people are fully equipped with knowledge and heightened vigilance, fraudulent activities will no longer have a chance to exist and develop.

Article and photos: Bach Nguyen

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/nang-cao-nhan-thuc-cong-dong-giai-phap-phong-tranh-bien-tuong-da-cap-259487.htm