Authorities dismantled a large-scale fake gasoline production ring, arresting 8 suspects.
Authorities have just dismantled a ring producing and selling counterfeit gasoline in Ho Chi Minh City. The perpetrators' modus operandi involved mixing industrial solvents and food coloring into RON A95 base gasoline before selling it on the market.
On February 3rd, the Ho Chi Minh City Police Investigation Agency issued a decision to initiate criminal proceedings.initiate criminal proceedings against the suspect.and arrest warrants were issued for eight individuals on charges of "Producing and trading counterfeit goods" under Article 192 of the Penal Code.
The arrested individuals include: Nguyen Van Yen (born 1980), Nguyen Hong Hai (born 1975), Nguyen Tan Hiep (born 1990), Nguyen Thanh Hai (born 1982), Tran Van Duc (born 1971), Le Thi Ngoc Huong (born 1981, Duc's wife), Le Thanh Tu (born 1986), and Pham Tuan Dung (born 1987).
Mixing right at the gas station.
Following an investigation and surveillance process, in mid-January 2026, authorities conducted a surprise inspection of the Duc Loi gas station (located at 195 Da Nam Street, Chanh Hung Ward).
Here, authorities caught Tran Van Duc (the station owner) and tanker truck driver Le Thanh Tu red-handed pumping SPSOL-PEE solvent and mixing it with food coloring into an underground tank containing RON A95 gasoline to increase volume, reduce costs, and still create a color similar to real gasoline to deceive consumers.
Expanding the investigation, the police identified Nguyen Van Yen as the ringleader, organizing the mixing and production of counterfeit gasoline at the tanker truck parking area at 818 Nguyen Duy Trinh (Long Truong ward).
The police determined that this network operated in two branches: branch 1, organized by Nguyen Van Yen, involved mixing and swapping gasoline at the storage yard before distributing it for sale; branch 2, coordinated by Nguyen Hong Hai, supplied solvents and organized the direct mixing at retail gas stations.
The perpetrators distributed counterfeit gasoline to numerous gas stations, selling it at the same price as genuine gasoline to gain illicit profits.
The dangers of counterfeit gasoline
The inspection results from the Center for Technical Standards and Quality Measurement 3 showed that all the seized gasoline did not meet the National Technical Standard (QCVN 01:2022/BKHCN), and was not RON A95 gasoline.
The police warn that using counterfeit gasoline not only damages engines and reduces engine power but also poses a risk of fire and explosion, directly threatening the lives of road users and causing environmental pollution.
In addition to causing direct harm to consumers, the actions of these individuals distort the petroleum market, affecting legitimate businesses and the reputation of the petroleum distribution system in the area.
Currently, the police are continuing to expand the investigation and track down related individuals; at the same time, they are clarifying other violations of the law to handle them strictly according to regulations.
