Lang Son Provincial Police have dismantled a massive multi-level marketing (MLM) network operating across Vietnam and internationally, arresting 12 suspects and seizing a large quantity of equipment and materials related to the scheme.

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Lang Son Police arrest Pham Tuan Phong and Dong Thi Minh Thang. Photo: Bao Lang Son

On May 21, authorities announced the coordinated operation with the Ministry of Public Security’s Department of Cybersecurity and High-Tech Crime Prevention, Department of Security Investigation, Traffic Police Department, and police forces from Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Nai Province.

The criminal case involves over 9,000 individuals, including more than 7,000 Vietnamese citizens and over 2,000 Taiwanese and Malaysian nationals.

Initial investigations identified Huang Wen Yen (born 1978, Taiwanese citizen) as the general director of Ame Global, a company marketing a health supplement product called Nguu Chuong Chi mushroom. Marketed as a health-boosting supplement, it was also falsely promoted as a financial growth opportunity.

The company's headquarters is located in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, with a subsidiary, WIN ALL Trading Co., Ltd, operating under the name Ame Global Vietnam at The 67 Tower, Tan Phu Ward, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City.

The company employed a “consumption-based growth” MLM model. Participants created accounts on a private website and invested over 14 million VND (approx. 550 USD) to receive a box of Nguu Chuong Chi product.

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Thousands of containers for product packaging. Photo: Provided by police

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Tong Thi Hong Tham and Nguyen Dang Bac in police custody. Photo: Bao Lang Son

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Machines used in manufacturing process. Photo: Provided by police

Participants were structured under a binary MLM tree model with up to 20 levels. The scheme promised a 10% global revenue bonus payout daily, with earnings capped at 1,000 USD per day  -  even without recruiting new members.

From April 2024 to present, the operation expanded to more than 9,000 members, with total transaction volume in the trillions of VND (equivalent to hundreds of millions of USD) flowing through related bank accounts.

Based on the collected evidence, Lạng Sơn police have issued arrest warrants and temporary detention orders for 12 suspects for violations related to MLM regulations:

Ngo Huu Thap (1974, Lang Son)
Lang Thi Thuy Dung (1980, Dong Nai)
Luu Quoc Ngoc (1983), Tran Chan Quyen (1988), Dam Vi Thinh (1988), Tu Boi Dieu (1993),
Pham Tuan Phong (1984), Tong Thi Hong Tham (1982), Kim Vinh Hao (1985), Dam Dieu Phat (1989) – all based in HCMC
Dong Thi Minh Thang (1982, Thai Nguyen)
Nguyen Dang Bac (1975, Bac Ninh)

Seized assets include one car, six computers, 14 mobile phones, two iPads, 85 cartons containing nearly 15,000 empty supplement boxes, more than 2,000 Nguu Chuong Chi bottles with unidentified origins, over 35,000 product labels, and numerous machines and documents used in production.

Authorities confirmed that this is an extra-large-scale transnational MLM crime ring, involving suspects from Taiwan, China, and ethnic Chinese Vietnamese. The investigation continues as police work to identify other related networks and participants.

Victims or individuals involved are urged to contact the Lang Son Provincial Police to provide statements and assist in the ongoing investigation.

Pham Cong - Dam De