Multimillion dollar counterfeit goods ring busted

Hong Kong Customs and police have raided four properties, seizing nearly 4000 fake items in an ongoing clampdown on counterfeit rings in the city.

The raids occurred in Mong Kok and Tsim Sha Tsui and resulted in the arrests of four men aged 23-47.

The seized goods have an estimated value of HK$3.37 million (US$434,000) were seized. During an operation, suspected counterfeit goods were found mixed among genuine products in a retail store in Mong Kok. They were sold at the discount price to the genuine products. After further investigation, Customs officers found some more suspected counterfeit goods in a warehouse in Tsuen Wan. A total of 438 suspected counterfeit goods were seized in this case, valued at about $1.17 million. The arrested 47-year-old man has been released on bail pending further investigation.

Three other clandestine storehouses keeping and selling suspected counterfeit goods were also smashed by Customs during the operations. The enforcement actions there resulted in the seizure of about 3500 items of various kinds of suspected counterfeit goods for sale, including watches, handbags, leather goods and sunglasses, with an estimated value of around $2.2 million. Three men, aged 23 to 28, were arrested.

The Customs Divisional Commander of Intellectual Property Transnational Investigation Division, Mak Wai-chung, said Customs and police will continue to conduct joint enforcement actions to more effectively combat the sale of counterfeit products. He reminded consumers to shop at retail stores with good reputations or at the official stores of the brands.

Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale any goods with any forged trademark, or applies a false trade description in the course of trade, commits an offence. Upon conviction, offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.