MC Quyền Linh Denies Any Involvement in the Counterfeit An Cung Hoàn Scandal as Police Crack Down on Massive Illicit Drug and Supplement Ring

The landscape of celebrity endorsements and corporate associations in Vietnam has been rattled following a sweeping law enforcement operation in Thanh Hóa Province, which successfully dismantled one of the largest counterfeit pharmaceutical and supplement manufacturing rings uncovered in recent years. Amid the chaos of public speculation and the viral dissemination of unverified information across various social media platforms, veteran television host Quyền Linh has found his name dragged into the controversy. Known widely for his philanthropic efforts and decades-long career as a trusted television personality, Quyền Linh officially took to his personal social media channels on the afternoon of September 25 to issue a definitive denial regarding any business or personal ties to the fraudulent products at the heart of the ongoing criminal investigation.

The controversy erupted shortly after the Public Security Department of Thanh Hóa Province announced the formal dismantling of a sophisticated syndicate producing and distributing counterfeit health supplements, most notably fake variations of An Cung Hoàn—a traditional medicine widely sought after for stroke prevention and cardiovascular support—alongside various counterfeit cosmetics. As details of the corporate entities involved trickled into the public domain, netizens quickly unearthed historical business registration records linking Quyền Linh’s former corporate entity to Tami Natural Home, a pharmaceutical and cosmetic manufacturing enterprise directly implicated in the police investigation. The sudden convergence of his name with a major criminal counterfeiting case sent shockwaves through local media networks, prompting the veteran MC to break his silence and take legal countermeasures against malicious online speculation.

Categorical Denial and Legal Warnings

In his official statement published on September 25, Quyền Linh expressed deep concern over the deliberate distortion of facts by certain social media users and online commentators aiming to generate online engagement at the expense of his reputation. Addressing the public directly, the television host stated that he maintains absolutely no professional, financial, or personal connection to An Cung Hoàn or any other illicit products currently circulating in the marketplace under police scrutiny.

"I completely affirm that I have no relation whatsoever to the An Cung Hoàn product or any items mentioned in the rumors currently spreading online," Quyền Linh wrote. "I earnestly request everyone to view the situation objectively and refrain from sharing information that has been deliberately twisted to distort the truth."

Emphasizing the severity of the situation, the entertainer sternly warned individuals who choose to exploit his name, career longevity, and personal likeness for clickbait, defamation, or the deliberate manipulation of public discourse. Quyền Linh announced that he would not hesitate to formally request intervention from competent state authorities to handle individuals and pages engaging in harassment, defamation, or malicious misinformation campaigns in accordance with Vietnamese law. By drawing a hard line against digital manipulation, the MC aims to safeguard both his hard-earned public standing and the broader integrity of information ecosystems.

Unraveling the Corporate Link: The Tami Natural Home Connection

The public fixation on Quyền Linh’s potential involvement did not stem purely from arbitrary rumors, but rather from corporate registry data that tied his business interests to one of the manufacturing hubs under investigation. According to official corporate registration records and public disclosures, Quyền Linh’s private enterprise—officially registered as Quyen Linh Artist Company Limited—previously held a substantial financial stake in Tami Natural Home, a company whose facilities and operations have fallen under the microscope of investigative authorities.

Historical corporate filings from 2024 indicate that Quyen Linh Artist Company Limited contributed approximately 9.2 billion VND, representing a significant 46% ownership stake in the charter capital of Tami Natural Home. For a period, this financial partnership positioned the celebrity-backed entity closely within the operational framework of the pharmaceutical and cosmetic producer. However, subsequent corporate restructuring documentation filed and officially recognized in July 2025 reveals a complete dissociation. The updated registry no longer lists Quyen Linh Artist Company Limited among the contributing members or shareholders of Tami Natural Home. Legal experts and corporate analysts point out that while historical ties existed, the complete divestment occurring months prior to the police raid legally and operationally distances the MC’s company from the illicit activities uncovered by law enforcement. Nevertheless, the temporal proximity of these business ties provided fertile ground for opportunistic social media users to fabricate narratives linking the celebrity directly to the counterfeit production line.

The Crackdown: Thanh Hóa Police Dismantle Multimillion-Dong Counterfeit Ring

The broader criminal investigation serving as the backdrop for these celebrity rumors represents a major victory for law enforcement agencies combating consumer fraud and public health endangerment in Vietnam. The Police Investigation Agency of Thanh Hóa Province officially announced the prosecution of the criminal case on September 25, initiating legal proceedings against nine suspects charged with "manufacturing and trading counterfeit goods being food items," pursuant to Article 193 of the Penal Code.

Out of the nine suspects implicated in the sprawling network, authorities have executed emergency arrest warrants and placed eight key individuals into temporary detention. The detained suspects include Nguyễn Thanh Phương Tuyến (38, residing in Đồng Tháp Province), Nguyễn Văn Thú (35), Bùi Thị Năm (33), Tạ Duy Hùng (55), Nguyễn Anh Ngọc (46), Nguyễn Thị Nhung (54)—all four residents of Hanoi—along with Nguyễn Thị Hằng (33) and Trương Thị Hồng Thắm (42), both residing in Ho Chi Minh City. The ninth suspect is currently subject to ongoing judicial measures as investigators trace the full geographical extent of the distribution network.

Preliminary findings released by the investigative agency outline a highly organized, clandestine operation that imported substandard raw materials and fake finished goods from overseas before repackaging them for domestic consumption. Investigators determined that the syndicate extensively advertised their products as premium health supplements originating from South Korea and China. However, these goods lacked mandatory official import licenses, regulatory health approvals, and legal customs declarations.

Instead of importing legitimate medicinal formulations, the criminal syndicate procured cheap, unverified pill blanks, raw ingredients, and bulk pharmaceutical components of dubious origin, alongside counterfeit packaging, labels, and anti-counterfeiting stamps sourced primarily from China. These materials were smuggled into Vietnam and routed to hidden processing facilities in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, where workers repackaged, sealed, and prepared the fake goods for widespread commercial distribution. Laboratory analysis of the seized inventory revealed that the primary components utilized to manufacture the counterfeit pill formations consisted of little more than common flour, industrial chemicals, synthetic coloring agents, and unverified chemical additives. Consuming such unregulated mixtures poses severe, life-threatening risks to vulnerable populations, particularly elderly patients managing chronic cardiovascular conditions who rely on authentic medication for stroke prevention.

Broader Implications for Celebrity Endorsements and Consumer Safety

The intersection of the Thanh Hóa counterfeit ring investigation with public figures like Quyền Linh highlights systemic vulnerabilities within Vietnam’s digital economy, corporate transparency, and celebrity endorsement culture. In recent years, regulatory bodies have intensified scrutiny over public figures who lend their names, likenesses, and trusted public images to commercial products—ranging from functional foods and cosmetics to pharmaceuticals—without exercising adequate due diligence regarding product legality, manufacturing standards, and ingredient safety.

While Quyền Linh successfully severed his corporate ties with Tami Natural Home prior to the eruption of the scandal, the incident serves as a stark cautionary tale for the entertainment industry. Legal professionals and consumer rights advocates consistently urge public figures to conduct exhaustive background checks on corporate partners and manufacturing facilities before entering into investment agreements or promotional contracts. When high-profile personalities associate their personal brands with commercial enterprises, public perception often binds the celebrity’s reputation to the ethical and legal compliance of the business entity.

Furthermore, the rapid spread of misinformation across social media networks during high-profile police investigations underscores the urgent need for stricter digital governance. Platforms frequently become breeding grounds for sensationalized headlines, unverified document leaks, and defamatory content designed to hijack trending news cycles for algorithmic reach. By threatening legal action and petitioning competent authorities to penalize malicious actors, Quyền Linh’s decisive response sets a legal precedent for how public figures can combat digital defamation and reclaim narrative control amidst widespread public panic.

As the Thanh Hóa Provincial Police continue their expanded investigation into the counterfeit pharmaceutical syndicate, authorities are urging consumers who purchased unregulated An Cung Hoàn products or suspect counterfeit health supplements to immediately report their findings to local law enforcement. The dismantling of this major criminal ring, coupled with rigorous enforcement against online disinformation, marks a critical step forward in protecting public health, upholding market integrity, and ensuring that accountability rests squarely with those responsible for manufacturing and distributing counterfeit goods.