A three month long clampdown by Hong Kong Customs staff has led to 3900 suspected counterfeit chargers being seized from retail stores around the city – and 49 people arrested.
Acting on information provided by a trademark owner, Customs conducted a series of strike-and-search operations in various districts over the past three months. A total of 39 cases were detected with the seizure of some 3900 suspected counterfeit portable chargers valued at about $270,000. In all, 28 men and 21 women aged from 18 to 57 were arrested. They were all released on bail pending further investigation.
The Divisional Commander of Intellectual Property General Investigation Division, Lam Yau-tak, said testing showed the output performance of the seized portable charges was found to be below the declared specifications. Some were also found to be at risk of overheating and short-circuiting.
He said Hong Kong Customs will continue to take stringent enforcement actions to combat counterfeit activities.
He also urged members of the public to purchase goods at retail shops with good reputations and reminded traders not to sell counterfeit products or supply unsafe consumer goods.
Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, it is an offence to sell or possess for sale any goods with any forged trademark. Upon conviction, offenders are liable to a maximum punishment of imprisonment for five years and a fine of $500,000.
Under the Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance, it is an offence to supply, manufacture or import into Hong Kong consumer goods unless they comply with the general safety requirement. Upon conviction, offenders are liable, on first conviction, to a fine of $100,000 and to imprisonment for one year and on subsequent conviction, to a fine of $500,000 and to imprisonment for two years.
Anyone with information relating to suspected counterfeiting activities may call the Customs via the 24-hour hotline 2545 6182.