Counterfeit luxury watches bearing Rolex, Patek Philippe, and other global brands seized by police in Quang Ninh Province. Photo courtesy of authorities. Police in Quang Ninh Province have arrested an online watch seller and uncovered a sophisticated counterfeit luxury watch operation that has been defrauding both local and international buyers for years. The seized collection reveals a sprawling scam involving fake timepieces from the world's most prestigious brands, sold at significant markups to unsuspecting customers through social media and online platforms. Woman Arrested, 96 Watches Seized Police investigation discovered that Bui Bich Thuan, 40, had been operating an extensive counterfeit watch business from her apartment in the S2 tower at the Sapphire apartment complex in Hong Gai Ward. Officers initially caught her on May 30 attempting to sell watches branded Rolex, Hublot, and Patek Philippe to a customer in the building's lobby—none of the 18 timepieces carried documentation proving their authenticity or origin. A subsequent search of a storage apartment in the same building yielded an additional 78 watches, bringing the total seized inventory to 96 pieces spanning 18 luxury brands including Bvlgari, Richard Mille, Gucci, and others. Scope of Counterfeit Operation The Vietnam Intellectual Property Research Institute conducted assessment of the seized collection and confirmed that 87 of the 96 watches were counterfeit products with a combined estimated value of VND310.58 million (approximately US$11,800). The fake timepieces were being sold for prices ranging from VND300,000 (US$11) to VND35 million (US$1,330) each—undercutting official retail prices by significant margins while still generating substantial profit for the operator. Years of Online Deception Thuan initially began her fraudulent operation in 2020, operating under the storefront name "Thai Trinh Luxury Watch" from a physical location in Bai Chay Ward. When authorities increased enforcement attention on brick-and-mortar counterfeit operations, she shifted her business model entirely to digital channels in early 2025. She subsequently operated multiple online platforms including a personal Facebook account and an associated fan page under the same business name, allowing her to reach both domestic and international customers. Implications for Travelers and Expats The discovery of this extensive counterfeiting ring highlights ongoing risks for international visitors and expatriates in Vietnam seeking to purchase luxury goods. Counterfeit watches sold at below-market prices frequently come with forged certificates of authenticity, and buyers often cannot distinguish fakes from genuine products until long after purchase. Travelers should exercise extreme caution when purchasing high-value items from online sellers without established retail credentials or official authorization from luxury brands. Police named Thuan as the accused on July 17, opening a criminal case for infringing industrial property rights, according to the provincial Economic Police Division. 25 July 2026
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