​Hong Kong Customs conducted a special operation in Mong Kok and Fo Tan yesterday (June 4) to combat the sale of counterfeit goods and seized about 5 000 items of suspected counterfeit goods with an estimated market value of about $620,000.
Customs earlier received information alleging that suspected counterfeit goods were put on sale in shops. After an in-depth investigation and with the assistance of the trademark owners, Customs officers yesterday took enforcement action, and raided three retail shops in Mong Kok and a storage facility in Fo Tan where the batch of suspected counterfeit goods, including medicines and cosmetics, was seized.
During the operation, Customs arrested three men and two women, aged between 28 and 90, including three shop proprietors and two staff members.
All arrested persons were released on bail pending further investigation. An investigation is ongoing and the likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out. Samples of the suspected counterfeit goods involved in the cases will be sent to the Government Laboratory for safety testing.
Customs will continue to step up inspection 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 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 counterfeit activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Ends/Wednesday, June 5, 2024
