Melaka KPDN seizes over 31,000 counterfeit phone accessories worth RM132,086 in a warehouse raid, detaining a man and halting online sales
MELAKA: A total of 31,279 units of counterfeit telecommunication accessories – bearing the branding of a prominent leading phone manufacturer and valued at RM132,086 – were seized during a raid on a warehouse in Taman Teknologi Cheng yesterday.
Melaka Director of the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN), Dr Mohd Hazimin Jamaludin said that a man in his 30s, who claimed to be the business owner and warehouse manager, was detained during the raid at approximately 11:00 am.
He noted that the operation, carried out by seven KPDN enforcement officers, included representatives of the registered trademark owner and at the time of the raid, warehouse workers were in the midst of unloading accessories intended for online sale.
“The raid uncovered various counterfeit accessories using the trademark or logo of a world-renowned phone manufacturer, including phone cases, earphones, AirPods, charging cables and phone boxes.
“Initial investigations revealed that the warehouse has been operating for about three years. All counterfeit accessories were sold across various online platforms, and the business also employed online sales agents,” he said during a press conference here today.
He stated that the counterfeit accessories, sourced from China, were sold at prices three times cheaper than the original versions. The business is estimated to have raked in profits of approximately RM1 million per year.
He added that the accessories were also equipped with warranty cards purportedly from California, USA, to attract buyers from both within and outside Melaka.
Mohd Hazimin added that the department was still investigating whether the warehouse also sold mobile phones, as hundreds of phone boxes found during the raid were empty.
The warehouse has been seized to ensure that the sale of counterfeit smartphone accessories is halted.
The case is being investigated under Section 102(1)© of the Trademarks Act 2019 for possession of goods with counterfeit trademarks for commercial purposes.
If convicted, individuals can be fined RM10,000 for each counterfeit item, sentenced to a maximum of three years in prison, or both. For companies, the fine can reach RM15,000 for each counterfeit item.