Woman Buys Fake Nike, Adidas Shoes in Nha Trang, Discovers Counterfeits After Shipping to Russia

The victim filed an official complaint through the Khanh Hoa Provincial Public Feedback System, accusing a retail store at 3 Tran Quang Khai Street in Nha Trang of peddling counterfeit footwear under globally trademarked brand names like Nike and Adidas.

According to her filing, endorsements from well-known local bloggers and Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) persuaded her to visit the shop. She purchased the two pairs for a combined total of 1.3 million VND to ship to her partner in Russia.

During the purchase, sales clerks assured her that the sneakers were authentic. However, once the package arrived in Russia, an appraisal by local specialists confirmed that both pairs were counterfeit.

When the buyer contacted the store to demand a resolution, the business refused to cooperate, stating it would not accept returns or issue refunds without an official receipt.

Following the formal petition, the Khanh Hoa Department of Industry and Trade ordered Market Surveillance Team No. 1 to carry out an unannounced inspection. Regulators caught the merchant trafficking counterfeit goods that infringe on registered trademarks protected under Vietnamese law.

Authorities levied a 50 million VND ($2,000) administrative fine on the business owner for trading in counterfeit goods and ordered the mandatory destruction of 180 pairs of fake Nike and Adidas sneakers under statutory regulations.

The storefront accused of selling counterfeit sneakers at 3 Tran Quang Khai Street. (Photo: Cuu Long)

A representative of the shop conceded that the two pairs sold to the customer were not genuine Nike or Adidas merchandise, adding that authentic models could never sell for 1.3 million VND for two pairs.

Addressing the claim that staff had vouched for their authenticity, the representative blamed a new employee, asserting that the store normally classifies items for shoppers as “Grade 1, Grade 2, or Grade 3 replicas” rather than genuine inventory.

“At 500,000 to 600,000 VND ($20 to $24) a pair, there is no way these could be authentic. We have been trying to track down the customer to apologize and issue a full refund, but we have not been able to reach her,” the representative stated.

The management acknowledged its history of selling counterfeit goods that violate protected trademarks, noted the regulatory penalty, and stated that the shop is preparing to wind down operations. However, the store denied paying social media influencers to promote fake merchandise.

“Most bloggers and KOLs are regular tourists who drop by to shop and shoot videos on their own,” the representative claimed.

 (Source: VnExpress)