The arrest of a renowned Vietnamese beauty queen and social media personality highlights the serious issue of consumer deception in the wellness industry.
Vietnamese Beauty Queen Faces Arrest for Fraudulent Fibre Supplement Sales
Vietnamese Beauty Queen Faces Arrest for Fraudulent Fibre Supplement Sales
Nguyen Thuc Thuy Tien, crowned Miss Grand International in 2021, is caught in a consumer fraud scandal involving counterfeit fibre gummies.
Vietnamese authorities have arrested Nguyen Thuc Thuy Tien, a celebrated beauty queen and influencer, following allegations of consumer fraud concerning her promotion of a counterfeit fibre supplement. The controversy arose when Tien, who gained fame as the 2021 Miss Grand International, heavily advertised Kera Supergreens Gummies on her social media platforms, claiming they were rich in fibre.
However, a backlash ensued after lab tests disclosed that the product contained only 16mg of fibre per gummy, significantly less than the 200mg claimed in its marketing. Nguyen Thuc Thuy Tien, alongside fellow influencers Pham Quang Linh and Hang Du Muc, had previously collaborated on this venture, claiming that a handful of their gummies would provide the same fibre content as a plate of vegetables.
The troubling findings prompted an investigation, revealing that low-quality ingredients, deficient in fibre, were employed in the gummies' production. Furthermore, the packaging failed to reveal the accurate fibre content and noted a high sorbitol level, which is commonly found in laxatives.
In March, the trio of influencers faced fines and issued public apologies following the uproar. Shortly thereafter, authorities arrested Pham, Hang, as well as executives from their company and the gummies' manufacturer, all facing charges for producing counterfeit goods and defrauding consumers. The recent arrest of Tien marks a significant escalation in the fallout.
Reports suggest over 100,000 boxes of the gummies were sold before distribution was halted. Tien’s celebrity status, amplified by her beauty pageant victory, attracted partnerships with various Vietnamese brands and appearances on reality television. She was also honored with merit certificates from the prime minister and the ruling Communist Party.
