Ho Chi Minh City – October 23, 2025 — The Ho Chi Minh City Police have officially prosecuted and detained singer-songwriter Luong Bang Quang and his wife, DJ and internet personality Vo Thi Ngoc Ngan, widely known as Ngan 98, on charges of offering a VND 8 billion (US$320,000) bribe to avoid criminal prosecution in a counterfeit food case.
According to police reports, this marks the latest development in the expanded investigation into the case of “producing and trading counterfeit food” in which Ngan 98 had previously been detained.
Investigators said that after authorities uncovered serious violations in her company’s business operations in July 2024, Ngan 98 and Luong Bang Quang allegedly gave VND 8 billion to Le Sy Cuong (38, residing in Ben Thanh Ward) — a social acquaintance — to act as a middleman in an attempt to “settle” the case.
Based on the evidence collected, on October 23, the Ho Chi Minh City Police Investigation Agency issued arrest warrants and prosecution decisions for Luong Bang Quang and Vo Thi Ngoc Ngan on charges of bribery, and for Le Sy Cuong on charges of acting as an intermediary in bribery.
Authorities are continuing to expand the investigation to identify and handle all individuals involved in accordance with the law.
Counterfeit Health Products Containing Banned Substances
Earlier, on October 13, Ngan 98 was arrested and prosecuted for “producing and trading counterfeit food products.”
Investigators revealed that she operated ZuBu Trading and Service Co., Ltd., a company registered under her mother’s name, and ZuBu Shop, registered under another associate.
Since 2021, Ngan had worked with several factories in Hanoi to manufacture dietary supplements such as Super Detox X3, X7, and X1000, all officially licensed. However, she later produced an unregistered product called “Collagen Vegetable Capsules”, labeled as a “complimentary item” to bypass regulations.
Testing showed that some of these products contained sibutramine and phenolphthalein — substances banned in food and supplements due to their severe health risks, including cardiovascular issues, high blood pressure, digestive disorders, and potential carcinogenic effects.
The products were marketed as a complete “weight-loss regimen”, sold at prices ranging from VND 870,000 to VND 1.1 million per set.
Data from delivery companies indicated that between 2023 and 2024, revenue from these illegal operations reached hundreds of billions of dong.
Public Reaction
The case has sparked widespread attention across Vietnamese social media, with many expressing shock over the scale of the alleged bribery and the involvement of a well-known entertainment couple.
Authorities have reiterated their commitment to cracking down on counterfeit goods and corruption within the health supplement industry — a sector that has rapidly expanded in recent years amid growing demand for beauty and fitness products.
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Source: Vietnam Insider