Hong Kong Customs conducted an operation codenamed "Eagle Web" from June 11 until yesterday (June 23) against the sale of counterfeit goods by shops doing promotion through Internet platforms. A total of 236 items of suspected counterfeit clothing, shoes and handbags with an estimated market value of about $110,000 were seized.
Through detecting and analysing Internet infringing activities using the big data analytics system, Customs discovered there are physical shops doing promotion through popular Internet platforms. They claimed Japanese and Korean fashions were available for sale but in fact the sale products were mingled with counterfeit goods. Some shops even alleged that their goods were sourced overseas by the shop owners in person in order to gain the customers' trust.
After further investigation, Customs officers raided six shops in Tsim Sha Tsui, Mong Kok and Kwai Chung during the said operation and seized the batch of suspected counterfeit goods.
During the operation, Customs officers arrested one man and six women, including four shop owners and three salespersons, aged from 23 to 64.
Investigation is ongoing.
Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale any goods with a forged trademark commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
Members of the public may report any suspected infringing activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).
Ends/Monday, June 24, 2019
