Hong Kong Customs yesterday (August 31) conducted a special enforcement operation to combat the sale of counterfeit watches and seized about 500 suspected counterfeit watches with an estimated market value of about $600,000.
Customs earlier received information alleging that some retail shops were suspected of selling counterfeit watches. After an in-depth investigation and with the assistance of the trademark owners, Customs officers took action yesterday and raided an upstairs shop and a storage centre of suspected counterfeit watches in Tsim Sha Tsui. The batch of suspected counterfeit watches was seized.
During the operation, a 38-year-old male director and a 28-year-old female shopkeeper were arrested.
An investigation is ongoing.
Customs will continue to step up inspections and enforcement to vigorously combat the sale of different kinds of counterfeit goods.
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. Traders should also be cautious and prudent in merchandising since selling 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/Thursday, September 1, 2022
