The case of producing nearly 600 types of fake milk powder: 9 companies involved, the 'boss' behind it increased capital rapidly

The ecosystem of the fake milk production line has up to 9 companies, products covering the whole country - Photo: People's Police Newspaper

As reported by Tuoi Tre Online , the Ministry of Public Security's Investigation Police Agency has prosecuted and temporarily detained Vu Manh Cuong, Hoang Manh Ha and 6 others involved in a ring that produced nearly 600 types of fake milk powder.

Cuong and Ha were identified as the masterminds in establishing Rance Pharma Company and Hacofood Group Company to directly organize the production, trading and consumption of fake powdered milk products.

Core businesses increase capital rapidly in just half a year

Data from the national business registration system shows that Rance Pharma International Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company was established in August 2021, headquartered in Him Lam Van Phuc residential area, Ha Dong, Hanoi.

The initial charter capital was 10 billion VND. In which, the person contributing the largest amount of capital was Vu Manh Cuong with 7 billion VND, equivalent to 70% of the charter capital.

The two remaining shareholders, Hoang Thi Bich Huong and Hoang Manh Ha, contributed VND500 million and VND2.5 billion respectively.

Hoang Manh Ha is the legal representative and director of Rance Pharma. He was born in 1979 and has a permanent residence in Ha Dong (Hanoi).

Notably, Rance Pharma increased its capital continuously in just a few months of 2024. Specifically, in January 2024, this enterprise increased its capital from 10 billion to 22 billion VND.

Five months later, Rance Pharma continued to increase its capital to VND52 billion, the capital contribution structure was not disclosed, along with the registration form for changes to business registration content.

In addition, in the tax declaration information file, Rance Pharma only registered 5 employees.

Another notable development is that the legal representative and director of this enterprise until August 2024 has been transferred to Nguyen Thanh Luan (born in 1987).

The investigation agency determined that Mr. Luan was a shareholder contributing capital to Rance Pharma Company, and at the same time initiated prosecution and arrest along with other defendants.

Mr. Luan is currently the director and legal representative of Nasaka Asia Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company located in Phu Luong ward, Ha Dong, Hanoi.

Many other businesses in the fake milk ecosystem

In addition to Rance Pharma, another business identified as playing a key role in the fake milk production and trading ring is Hacofood Group Nutrition Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company.

Hacofood Group was established in April 2022, just a few months after Cuong's group established Rance Pharma.

Hacofood Group is headquartered in Van Phu Invest Urban Area, Phu La Ward, Ha Dong District, Hanoi. The charter capital at the time of registration for legal entity establishment was also 10 billion VND.

The founding shareholders include 3 people, including Vu Manh Cuong contributing 6.5 billion VND (65% of capital); Nguyen Thanh Luan contributing 1 billion VND; the rest is contributed by Hoang Manh Ha.

The legal representative and chairman of the board of directors was initially Vu Manh Cuong. In October 2024, the position of legal representative was transferred by Mr. Cuong to Mr. Nguyen Van Tu (born in 1981) - the director of this company.

Notably, Mr. Tu is also the legal representative of Win CT International Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company.

Looking back at the historical data of Win CT International Pharmacy, Vu Manh Cuong - the person who was just arrested in the fake milk production ring mentioned above - is also a shareholder contributing 38% of the capital of this enterprise.

Unlike Rance Pharma, Hacofood Group has only increased its capital once since its establishment until the beginning of this year, from 10 billion VND to 15 billion VND.

The investigation agency determined that Vu Manh Cuong and Hoang Manh Ha also entered into joint ventures and partnerships in the form of contributing shares with many other entities to establish 9 companies, creating an ecosystem with the purpose of having these companies register their product lines (product brand labels) and directly trade, distribute and consume products manufactured at the factories of Hacofood Group and Rance Pharma.

The purpose is to register the product lines (product brand labels) and directly trade, distribute and consume products manufactured at the factories of Hacofood Company and Rance Pharma Company.

For about 4 years, this group has sold various types of milk to the market, bringing in nearly 500 billion VND in revenue. However, the entire financial and accounting activities of Rance Pharma Company and Hacofood Company showed many signs of violating accounting regulations, causing serious consequences, according to the initial investigation.

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BINH KHANH

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/vu-san-xuat-gan-600-loai-sua-bot-gia-9-cong-ty-lien-quan-trum-dung-sau-tang-von-don-dap-2025041316521106.htm