27-year-old TikTok star arrested for selling counterfeit weight-loss products

Vo Thi Ngoc Ngan (C), a TikTok influencer, detained by authorities on Oct. 13, 2025. Photo courtesy of HCMC Police Department

Authorities said Vo Thi Ngoc Ngan, widely known as Ngan 98, "was not honest, provided evasive statements, and shifted blame to others to evade responsibility" during the investigation. Financial records, delivery logs, production contracts, and employee testimonies indicate that she orchestrated the entire operation, overseeing both production and business.

Officials are now expanding the probe to determine the roles of other people involved.

Investigators reported that Ngan founded and operated ZuBu Company and ZuBu Shop, personally controlled all business, financial and operational activities and profited directly from them. Since 2021 Ngan has collaborated with a number of production facilities in Hanoi to make health and weight-loss supplements such as Super Detox X3, X7, and X1000.

While the products were legally registered, Ngan employed a "free gift" scheme, including a product called "vegetable collagen capsules" with each order. These were capsules neither registered nor authorized for distribution, but she packaged them under the X3, X7 and X1000 brands and promoted them as "enhancing weight loss when used together."

The packaging showed the collagen capsules as "free gift, not for sale" to evade regulatory scrutiny, but customers were effectively paying for them as they were included in the total price of the supplement sets, which cost VND870,000-1.1 million (US$33-$42).

The products were shipped from the Hanoi plants to ZuBu Shop’s Ho Chi Minh City warehouse and distributed via Facebook, TikTok and the company hotline, with its marketing claiming weight loss results of four to 15 kilograms per program.

Sales proceeds were routed through accounts belonging to Ngan’s relatives and employees to conceal the money trail before being funneled into her personal account. Delivery data shows that in 2023 and 2024 alone, the operation generated hundreds of billions of dong in revenues.

Forensic tests by the Ministry of Public Security found that the products failed to meet advertised quality standards and were "counterfeit." Some collagen capsules contained banned substances such as sibutramine and phenolphthalein, which can cause cardiovascular problems, high blood pressure, digestive disorders, and potentially increase cancer risk.

Ngan has gained notoriety on social media for her provocative image and controversial statements. She entered the entertainment industry through livestreams, sensual imagery and high-profile relationships, often wearing revealing attire, which led to fines. Her online presence has been described as "polarizing," attracting both large followings and criticism.

In addition to her public persona, Ngan modeled her own products and promoted herself as a businesswoman, calling herself the "CEO of ZuBu." She also garnered support for her charitable efforts.