HCMC police bust fake clinic run by unlicensed ‘doctors’

Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City have arrested four people for running a fraudulent beauty clinic that posed as a medical facility and scammed clients out of more than VND 17 billion (US$680,000).

According to the city’s Security Investigation Department, those detained include Nguyen Van Truong (32, from Dong Thap), Vo Van Duc (28, from An Giang), Cao Tan Tu (25), and Nguyen Ngoc Thuy Linh (32) — all charged with fraud and property appropriation.

The group operated under the business name AC International at 19 Phan Xich Long Street, Gia Dinh Ward, HCMC, officially registered as a skincare and cosmetics service. However, police discovered the site had been illegally transformed into a “clinic” offering unauthorized medical treatments.

Veterinary graduate posed as doctor

Investigators said employees were instructed to dress as doctors, wear white coats, and use medical equipment for show. None of them had medical degrees — in fact, one staff member had only a veterinary diploma but was assigned to treat human patients.

The supposed treatments included IV drips, injections, and laser therapies, but police found that most substances used were merely saline, vitamins, or mild painkillers.

Deceptive ads and forced loans

The suspects created multiple fake Facebook pages posing as “international medical centers,” using titles like Doctor, Specialist, and PhD to attract clients. They also stole photos and videos of foreign doctors and high-tech medical devices to appear credible.

Victims were promised miracle cures for chronic pain, stomach disorders, gout, snoring, and men’s health issues—all “non-surgical” and “painless.” Many were persuaded to purchase treatment packages ranging from a few million to hundreds of millions of dong.

In some cases, clients who couldn’t afford the costs were coerced into taking app-based loans, while staff visited homes to collect money, police said.

Investigation and warning

From February to July 2025, the fake clinic scammed dozens of victims, mostly elderly patients or people from rural areas, according to investigators.

Police have urged more victims to come forward by contacting the HCMC Security Investigation Department at 243 Cach Mang Thang 8 Street, District 3 (Tel: 0693188504).

Officials also warned the public to avoid unlicensed clinics and only seek medical services at facilities approved by the Health Department. Businesses offering beauty or health services beyond their permits will face strict legal penalties, they added.

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Source: Vietnam Insider