Vietnamese Influencer and Former Beauty Queen Arrested for Promoting Fake Health Supplement

The arrest of former Miss Grand International, Nguyen Thuc Thuy Tien, highlights growing concerns over influencer accountability in Vietnam, as she and two associates face legal action for marketing a counterfeit dietary supplement.

Vietnamese authorities have apprehended Nguyen Thuc Thuy Tien, a prominent beauty queen and social media influencer, amid allegations of consumer fraud related to the promotion of counterfeit fibre gummies. Tien, who gained fame as the winner of Miss Grand International in 2021, had been actively endorsing Kera Supergreens Gummies, touting their high fibre content on her social media platforms. However, following public scrutiny and subsequent testing, it was revealed that the gummies contained only 16mg of fibre per piece, significantly lower than the 200mg advertised.

This widespread backlash prompted investigators to scrutinize the origins of the product, uncovering a partnership between Nguyen and fellow influencers Pham Quang Linh and Hang Du Muc, who also promoted the gummies. Authorities determined that the items were manufactured with subpar ingredients, lacking adequate fibre and failing to disclose a high level of sorbitol, a compound commonly found in laxatives.

Earlier in the year, the three influencers had faced fines and publicly apologized for their actions. However, as the investigation progressed, both Pham Quang Linh and Hang Du Muc were arrested, along with company officials associated with the gummies' production, for their roles in crafting fake health products. Recent developments have led to Nguyen's arrest, with officials claiming she misled consumers and contributed to the sale of over 100,000 boxes of the questionable product.

Since gaining acclaim after her beauty pageant win, Nguyen Thuc Thuy Tien has become a prominent figure in Vietnamese media, often seen in various television programs and receiving accolades from government officials. With the recent scandal, the case raises significant questions about influencer ethics and consumer protection in Vietnam's thriving social media landscape.