Vietnamese authorities have announced the arrest of prominent beauty queen and social media influencer, Nguyen Thuc Thuy Tien, for consumer fraud. The former Miss Grand International winner is accused of heavily promoting a counterfeit fiber supplement, leading to a significant public backlash and a nationwide investigation into deceptive health product marketing.
Nguyen Thuc Thuy Tien, a well-known personality in Vietnam and a recipient of government accolades, extensively marketed Kera Supergreens Gummies on her social media channels.
She promoted these fiber gummies as being rich in fiber, collaborating with fellow social media influencers Pham Quang Linh and Hang Du Muc.
However, a public uproar erupted when laboratory tests on the Kera Supergreens Gummies exposed the falsity of the claims. While the influencers claimed that each gummy contained fiber equivalent to a plate of vegetables, lab results shockingly revealed that each gummy contained only 16mg of fiber, falling drastically short of the advertised 200mg. This major discrepancy led to the fiber gummy fraud investigation.
How Investigators Uncovered Sub-Standard Ingredients in the Fiber Supplement
Following the initial lab findings, Vietnamese authorities launched a comprehensive investigation into the Kera Supergreens Gummies scandal. Their findings indicated that sub-standard ingredients, notably low in fiber, were deliberately used in the manufacturing process of the counterfeit gummies.
Furthermore, the product’s packaging failed to disclose the actual fiber content and neglected to mention the high level of sorbitol, an ingredient commonly used in laxatives, thereby misleading consumers about the product’s true nature and effects.
Arrests Were Initially Made in Fiber Gummy Case
In March, Nguyen Thuc Thuy Tien, Pham Quang Linh, and Hang Du Muc were initially fined for their involvement in the misleading promotion of the fiber gummies and subsequently issued public apologies.
However, the investigation intensified the following month when Vietnamese authorities arrested Pham Quang Linh and Hang Du Muc, alongside officials from their company and the gummies’ manufacturer. These individuals were charged with producing counterfeit goods and defrauding customers, signifying the serious nature of the health supplement fraud.
On Monday, authorities formally announced the arrest of Nguyen Thuc Thuy Tien for allegedly deceiving customers. Reports indicate that over 100,000 boxes of the counterfeit gummies were sold before sales were halted due to the escalating scandal, illustrating the widespread impact of this consumer fraud.
From Miss Grand International to Health Supplement Scandal
After winning the Bangkok-based Miss Grand International beauty pageant in 2021, Nguyen Thuc Thuy Tien became a highly sought-after celebrity by numerous Vietnamese brands and appeared on several reality TV shows. Her popularity was further cemented by receiving certificates of merit from both the Prime Minister and Vietnam’s ruling Communist Party.
Her arrest for alleged consumer fraud over the Kera Supergreens Gummies marks a dramatic fall from grace for the once-celebrated Vietnamese beauty queen and social media influencer.
