A Vietnamese police officer reads a decision to press charges against Miss Grand International 2021 Nguyen Thuc Thuy Tien, who was accused of defrauding customers in connection with Kera vegetable gummies. Photo: Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security
The Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security’s investigation police agency on Monday issued a decision to detain and initiate legal proceedings against Thuy Tien, a 27-year-old resident of Ho Chi Minh City.
She was charged under Article 198, Clause 2 of the Penal Code for deceiving customers in connection with her involvement in Chi Em Rot Group JSC (CER Group), which sold Kera Supergreens Gummies products.
Authorities confirmed she held a 30-percent stake in CER Group, while other shareholders owned 70 percent.
According to investigators, CER Group had earned nearly VND18 billion ($693,400) in revenue from over 30,000 customers.
Based on her equity share, Tien pocketed close to VND7 billion ($270,000).
Investigators said that after launching Kera, Tien, along with influencers Nguyen Thi Thai Hang, known as ‘Hang Du Muc’, and Pham Quang Linh, known as ‘Quang Linh Vlogs’, exaggerated the gummy’s health benefits.
Despite knowing from test reports that the fiber content in Kera was only 0.935 percent—far too low to offer significant nutritional benefits—Tien continued promoting the product.
Tien also admitted she was unaware of the specific raw ingredients used by the manufacturer, Asia Life JSC.
Controversy first erupted in late February this year when online discussions questioned Kera’s advertised fiber content.
To distance herself from the growing backlash, Tien sought to formalize a promotional contract to remove any official record of her role as a shareholder.
Up to now, police have filed charges against 10 individuals for their alleged involvement in the Kera case and are expanding the investigation to determine the full extent of wrongdoing.
Tien, a former hotel management student at Hoa Sen University in Ho Chi Minh City, rose to international fame after winning the Miss Grand International 2021 title.
She had previously competed in numerous domestic and international beauty contests, and in 2021 was honored with the ‘Outstanding Young Vietnamese Face’ award by the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union.
She has also appeared in many music videos and films.
