Evidence of client cheating and origin fraud uncovered at Asanzo
Evidence of client cheating and origin fraud uncovered at Asanzo
Signs of violations, including customer cheating, origin fraud, the use of counterfeit labels and tax evasion, were found during an investigation into Asanzo’s import and trade of Chinese electronic products bearing Made-in-Vietnam labels.
The Ministry of Finance, which manages National Steering Committee 389 which is in charge of fighting smuggling, trade fraud and fake goods, held a meeting on October 28 with ministries and departments to discuss the findings of the investigation, the local media reported.
Based on the probe’s results, the first violation, as determined by the ministry, is creating counterfeit labels. This means that the firm violated labeling regulations based on the intellectual property law.
As for the allegation of cheating clients, the unit noted that the assembly process for some products was not as advertised, saying the firm had abused the slogan “Advanced Japanese Technology” on some products.
Besides this, the competent agencies found violations related to the origin of goods, especially those imported and assembled by Asanzo and related companies.
Asanzo bought accessories from local firms to assemble them and turn out completed products instead of manufacturing them. The firm’s products bearing “Made in Vietnam” labels accounted for 1%-2% of added value by Asanzo, so it is impossible to consider them Vietnamese products. These accessories were imported from China by Asanzo’s partners.
Addressing the meeting organized at the headquarters of the General Department of Vietnam Customs, representative of the Supreme People's Procuracy Lai Anh Tuan said that signs of tax evasion, including not issuing invoices and using fake invoices, were found at Asanzo.
