Customs officers yesterday (March 2) detected three cases of online sale of suspected counterfeit goods and arrested three students with seizures valued at about $1,000.
During cyber patrols, Hong Kong Customs uncovered that some sellers offered for sale suspected counterfeit products on social networking websites. Customs officers mounted operations yesterday and separately arrested two female and one male secondary students, aged from 15 to 17. A total of 10 pairs of suspected counterfeit sports socks and 16 pieces of suspected counterfeit phone cases were seized. The cases are still under investigation.
In 2016, the Customs has detected 24 cases of online sale of suspected counterfeit goods so far, which mainly involved mobile phone accessories, electronic products, clothes and leather goods. Ten of these cases involved students. The number of arrested students under age of 18 increased from three to seven, when compared to the same period last year. They used smart phones to sell suspected counterfeit products on social networking websites.
A Customs spokesperson appealed to members of the public, especially young people, to respect intellectual property rights and not to purchase or sell counterfeit goods. They should not engage in illegal activities for the sake of making quick money or they might ruin their future. Selling counterfeit goods is a serious crime with criminal liability. Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale any goods with any forged trademark commits an offence. Upon conviction, offenders are liable to imprisonment of five years and a maximum fine of $500,000.
Anyone with suspected counterfeiting activities to report may call the 24-hour Customs Hotline 2545 6182.
Ends/Thursday, March 3, 2016
