Thanh Hoa Police Bust 10,000-Item Fake Jewelry Ring as Vietnam Intensifies IP Crackdown
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jul 5
Thanh Hoa Police Bust 10,000-Item Fake Jewelry Ring as Vietnam Intensifies IP Crackdown
2 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jul 5
Summary
June 10 raids in Thanh Hoa dismantled a counterfeit jewelry ring that made and sold more than 10,000 fake items, with police estimating illicit profits at $1.14 million.
The operation targeted copies of Bvlgari, Cartier, Louis Vuitton and Tiffany products as Vietnam steps up enforcement under pressure from Washington over weak intellectual-property protection.
Since a May 7 nationwide campaign began, authorities have pledged to raise IP busts by at least 20%; in the last three weeks of May they reportedly handled more than 1,400 infringement cases.
Saigon Square and Ben Thanh Market were among the main targets, with surprise inspections and more than $19,000 in fines, though vendors say sales continue by hiding stock and adapting to raids.
The crackdown may help legitimate local designers, but analysts and buyers say demand for cheap knockoffs remains strong in a country where average monthly income is about $225, making eradication unlikely.