Hong Kong Customs yesterday (August 12) conducted a special operation in Mong Kok to combat the sale of counterfeit goods and seized about 3 700 items of suspected counterfeit goods with an estimated market value of about $400,000.
Customs had earlier conducted patrol operations and discovered some hawker stalls selling suspected counterfeit goods in Mong Kok. After an initial investigation, Customs officers took enforcement action yesterday and raided a number of fixed-pitch and mobile hawker stalls on Tung Choi Street and seized a batch of suspected counterfeit goods, including clothes, handbags and wallets.
During the operation, a 49-year-old man and a 67-year-old woman were arrested.
Investigation is ongoing.
Customs will continue to step up inspection and enforcement to vigorously combat different kinds of counterfeit goods activities.
Customs reminds consumers to procure goods at reputable shops and to check with the trademark owners or their authorised agents if the authenticity of a product is in doubt. Also, traders should be cautious and prudent in merchandising since the sale of counterfeit goods is a serious crime and offenders are liable to criminal sanctions.
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/Friday, August 13, 2021
