An
investigation revealed the syndicate sold counterfeit goods at four
hawker stalls in the market and used computer tablets to show clients
photos of the products.
“Some clients were taken to its upstairs
showroom nearby, which was packed with about 600 counterfeit products,”
Fong said, adding that four nearby flats were used as warehouses.
He noted the investigation uncovered a female
ringleader who went to the mainland regularly to purchase the fake
products while a male mastermind was responsible for selling them
locally.
After a month-long investigation, about 90
customs officers on Thursday swooped into action and raided the four
hawker stalls, the secret showroom and the four warehouses.
Seven men and three women, including the two
ringleaders, were rounded up in the operation. More than 10,000 fake
products were seized, including watches, handbags and leather goods.
Fong said it was customs’ largest seizure of fake products in a single operation in the past three years.
“We believe the syndicate stocked up the large amount of goods to sell during the Christmas and New Year period,” he said.
On Friday afternoon, the 10 Hongkongers, aged 24 to 38, were being held for questioning. None of them had been charged.
Fong said the department would enhance its enforcement activities against counterfeiting during the holiday season.
He reminded traders that the sale of counterfeit
goods was a serious crime, carrying a maximum penalty of a HK$500,000
fine and five years in jail.
