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Customs officers neutralised a counterfeit mobile phone and accessories syndicate after raiding a shop in Tsim Sha Tsui last night (August 27).
They seized 600 mobile phones, 600 chargers, 4,100 batteries, 100 phone shells and 100 pairs of earphones, worth in total about $450,000.
Customs officers also found a batch of used mobile phone accessories of old models, brand name product stickers, user manuals and packaging materials.
It was believed that the syndicate attempted to repackage the used mobile phones and accessories for sale as new products.
Investigation showed that the syndicate targeted regions in Africa and Southern Asia for selling these counterfeit goods, with a small quantity sold locally.
Following up a case detected by Police in Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, last Sunday (August 26) involving a counterfeit mobile phone manufacturing site, Customs officers suspected that the syndicate might operate a retail outlet. This led to last night's successful operation.
Divisional Commander (Trade Descriptions Investigation), Mr Samson Chiu, today (August 28) reminded people to purchase genuine mobile phones and accessories from authorised dealers.
He stressed that Hong Kong Customs had been co-operating closely with trademark owners to combat sales activities of counterfeit mobile phones and accessories.
It is a criminal offence to sell goods with forged trademarks or false trade descriptions and the maximum penalty upon conviction is five years' jail and a fine of $500,000.
Ends/Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Issued at HKT 18:46
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