On May 25, 2025, Vietnamese authorities dismantled the Bitney multi-level marketing (MLM) scheme, a fraudulent operation involving nearly 200,000 promoters, including 107,348 Vietnamese residents. The scheme not only operated as an illegal pyramid structure but also marketed a dangerous product, Bitney Multi Juice, contaminated with Tadalafil, a prescription-only erectile dysfunction drug.
What Was the Bitney MLM Scheme?
Launched in Vietnam in 2019, Bitney Vietnam Trading Investment Co., Ltd. promoted products like Multi Juice, Lucenta deer placenta supplements, and Bitney Multi Cream through a “binary tree” MLM model. This structure incentivized recruitment over product sales, a hallmark of pyramid schemes. The company operated without a direct selling license, marking up products at exorbitant prices—sometimes dozens of times above their import cost—leading to massive profits estimated at trillions of Vietnamese dong (approximately $38.5 million USD).
The most alarming issue was Bitney’s Multi Juice, which contained Tadalafil, the active ingredient in Cialis, a drug requiring medical supervision due to its health risks. Tests conducted by Ho Chi Minh City’s Food Safety Management Board in 2022 and 2023 at the National Institute for Food Safety Testing and the Pasteur Institute in Nha Trang confirmed the presence of this banned substance. Despite these findings, no action was taken until 2025, raising questions about regulatory delays.
The Investigation and Arrests
Vietnamese cybercrime police launched an investigation after detecting exaggerated health claims and suspicious online marketing by Bitney. On May 14, 2025, authorities arrested four individuals for violating MLM regulations. The key figures were:
- Tat Van Hao, 48, from District 5, Ho Chi Minh City, who founded Bitney Vietnam in 2019.
- Lim Choon Foong (Nick Lim), 43, a Malaysian national based in District 6, Ho Chi Minh City.
Police seized significant assets, including:
- Nearly VND 2 billion (~$78,000 USD) in cash
- 41,800 boxes of Multi Juice
- Three cars, 15 mobile phones, seven laptops
- Company seals and documents linked to Bitney Vietnam and related firms
This bust, described as the largest MLM takedown involving foreign operatives in Vietnam, exposed a network that defrauded victims out of trillions of dong.
Why Did It Take So Long?
Despite discovering Tadalafil in Bitney’s juice in 2022, Vietnamese authorities delayed action until 2025. This mirrors a broader pattern of lax enforcement against MLM fraud in Vietnam. For instance, the OneCoin Ponzi scheme, which operated with forged documents and faced minimal consequences, highlights ongoing regulatory challenges. However, recent crackdowns, including the Bitney bust and the dismantling of the Ame Global MLM network, suggest a potential shift toward stricter oversight.
Impact on Victims
The Bitney scheme affected nearly 200,000 promoters worldwide, with over 107,000 Vietnamese victims losing substantial sums. The illegal use of Tadalafil in Multi Juice posed serious health risks, as the drug requires medical oversight to avoid dangerous side effects. The financial and health toll underscores the dangers of unregulated MLM schemes.
What’s Next for Vietnam?
The Bitney bust signals a possible turning point in Vietnam’s fight against MLM fraud. The recent Ame Global crackdown, where Lang Son Provincial Police arrested 12 suspects, further indicates growing scrutiny. However, whether this marks a long-term commitment to tackling MLM crime or a temporary enforcement spike remains unclear.