February 17th 2015 Tonight the Dutch TV show Opgelicht ! (Cheated!) reported on the biggest counterfeit scandal of 2014. The organized Italian crime trading in dangerous counterfeit power generators, imported from China. Three anti-counterfeit golden rules I would like to share with you. The golden rule # 1 remains : If it is too good […]
£180k Black Country Disney, One Direction and Justin Bieber Fake Goods Racket Smashed
Surelock assisted Dudley Trading Standards in this successful prosecution. Joanne and Simon Geddes printed the logos of Disney, Hello Kitty, Justin Bieber and One Direction onto merchandise before flogging it on Amazon and eBay to unsuspecting customers. The operation was run from the couple’s Sedgley living room and Paypal payments of £180,000 passed through their bank. […]
Fake Make-up Contains Dangerous Concentrations of Poisonous Chemicals
Fraudsters are selling fake make-up containing dangerous levels of poisonous chemicals such as arsenic and lead, consumers were warned yesterday. Fake versions of fashionable cosmetic brands including MAC and Benefit have been found to contain up to 19 times the legal level of lead. Pregnant women and their unborn babies are particularly vulnerable to some […]
Three Arrested on Suspicion of Selling Fake Justin Bieber and 1D Merchandise Following a Surelock Tipoff
The Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU), which is part of the City of London Police, has dismantled a suspected crime network believed to have been running a mini counterfeiting factory producing and selling clothing carrying the names and logos of famous musicians. The early morning operation resulted in the arrest of a man and […]
The True Cost of a ‘Faux’ Designer Wardrobe
What used to be seen as an impulse holiday buy, has brought a dangerous reality to our shores. Designer knock offs and counterfeit goods have always been a problem for the original designer, having to battle off the competition. However now, according to Interpol, counterfeiting operations pose a real threat. Whilst you may not think […]
Two Jailed for Selling Counterfeit Goods in A Bit of Magic
A man selling fake perfumes, pocketing over £120,000, has been jailed for 16 months. Patrick Morris, 65, operated his online knock-down-priced business “a-bit-of magic.co.uk” from his home in Deal. Alongside him in the counterfeit con was godson James Cumming, 42, who described himself as an online shop manager. Cumming was jailed alongside Morris for six […]
Man Jailed for Importing Stun Guns and for Trade Mark Offences
In July 2014 Aaron Davies of East Preston, West Sussex was convicted by the jury at the end of a two day trial at Chichester Crown Court of all counts of offences under the Trade Marks Act. Sentencing was adjourned until the outcome of a Police trial in respect of weapons (stun guns) found and […]
Launch of Manifesto for Brands: How Brands May Deliver More to the UK
12th December 2014 Today The Manifesto for Brands is launched by the British Brands Group, the voice for brands in the UK, and the Anti-Counterfeiting Group (ACG) which campaigns against the trade in fakes. It outlines the significant contribution brands make to the country and proposes a six-point plan on how they may deliver even […]
Big Brand Fake Merchandise Fraudster John Young Ordered to Pay Back £60k by Court
The successful conclusion of this case follows investigative work carried out by Surelock. A Suffolk internet fraudster who sold fake JLS, Justin Bieber, Olly Murs, and One Direction clothing has been ordered to repay £60,000. John Young was jailed for 12 months at Ipswich Crown Court in August, but has now been made subject of a confiscation […]
Counterfeit Toys Worth £500k Bound for Christmas Market are Seized in Salford
Fake and dangerous toys, worth £500,000, heading for the Christmas market have been seized in Salford. Peppa Pig, Disney’s Frozen, Angry Birds, and Super Mario counterfeit goods were among the huge haul. Some are difficult to distinguish from the real products – but have no warnings or safety advice on the packaging and the materials […]