Hanoi takes strong measures against e-commerce fraud
These measures targeted the fight against smuggling, trade fraud, and counterfeit goods and resulted in timely detection of numerous cases, criminal networks and violators.
THE HANOI TIMES — Hanoi is spearheading a far-reaching campaign against counterfeit goods and e-commerce fraud via digital technologies, according to Trinh Quang Duc, Director of the Hanoi Market Surveillance Department.
The Kinh te & Do thi (Economic and Urban) Newspaper quoted Duc as saying that the offenses primarily involved producing and selling counterfeit, smuggled, and untraceable goods, as well as infringing on intellectual property and selling substandard products.
Authorities have intensified inspections of e-commerce platforms and social media, recognizing them as fertile grounds for counterfeit goods.
Market surveillance forces in Hanoi raid a facility with smuggled goods at 64 Hang Giay Street, Hanoi. Photo courtesy of the Hanoi Market Surveillance Department
“The crackdown on e-commerce fraud is part of a broader effort to combat smuggling and counterfeit goods in Hanoi through a proactive strategy with traceability technology and encoded labeling to detect fraud on e-commerce platforms,” said Duc.
He affirmed the Hanoi Market Surveillance Department will enhance inspection and supervision of food-related goods while preventing smuggling, trade fraud, and intellectual property violations on e-commerce and social media platforms.
The agency has urged platforms to prevent the listing and sale of counterfeit and prohibited goods and stressed stronger compliance measures.
Inspections of e-commerce and social media have intensified, with many online shops and live stream sellers of fake luxury items penalized.
Nearly 9,600 e-commerce storefronts were flagged for fraudulent trade in Hanoi in the first half of 2025.
Along with institutional reform, the agency is rolling out key solutions to combat counterfeit goods, imitations, and intellectual property infringements in the digital environment.
“The MoIT is improving the legal framework, enhancing technological solutions, and strengthening inter-agency coordination to build a transparent and secure digital environment focused on consumer protection,” said the director.
Anti-counterfeiting prioritized to new e-commerce violations
According to Nguyen Kieu Oanh, Deputy Director of Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade, the market surveillance force will prioritize anti-counterfeiting tasks to new e-commerce violations.
Hanoi authorities seize smuggled goods at No.62 Bach Mai Street, Hanoi. Photo courtesy of the Hanoi Market Surveillance Department
"We will also promote digitalization in management and operations, focusing on inspecting and handling violations on e-commerce platforms," said Oanh.
The market surveillance force will work with the media to promptly report inspections and actions against smuggling and counterfeit or substandard goods to warn consumers.
“The open economy and rapid e-commerce growth create complex challenges for market management as smuggling and counterfeit goods become more prevalent and sophisticated,” the official stressed.
Hanoi’s market surveillance force is implementing a plan to combat counterfeit goods and protect consumers in e-commerce until 2030.
“Authorities are urging platforms like Shopee, Lazada, TikTok, Facebook and Zalo to prevent the listing and sale of counterfeit, prohibited, or untraceable goods,” said Oanh.
