KL raid uncovers 15,000 fake designer shoes
KUALA LUMPUR: The operations of a counterfeit goods syndicate distributing fake merchandise nationwide were crippled following the seizure of 15,000 pairs of shoes and slippers during a raid at a wholesale complex along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman recently.
Kuala Lumpur Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) director Mohd Sabri Seman said the counterfeit items were discovered in eight warehouses believed to be owned by a local man.
He said the syndicate is believed to have set up base in the capital two months ago and frequently relocated within the Klang Valley to evade detection by the authorities.
"The raid was the result of three weeks of intelligence work by the ministry's Federal Territory enforcement team, which successfully uncovered the syndicate's operations.
"The raiding party confiscated 15,000 pairs of counterfeit branded slippers and shoes, with an estimated total value of nearly RM400,000," he said at a press conference yesterday.
Mohd Sabri said most of the counterfeit products are believed to have originated from China and entered Malaysia via sea routes.
Investigations revealed that the syndicate imported the goods at RM4 per pair of slippers and RM20 per pair of shoes, before reselling them at several times the cost to traders across the country, including some in neighbouring nations.
Preliminary findings indicate that the slippers were sold for between RM40 and RM50 a pair, while the shoes fetched between RM100 and RM120.
"In addition to the warehouses, we also discovered a showroom believed to be a covert display centre used by wholesalers to showcase various models to prospective traders.
"We also suspect that these counterfeit products are being marketed online," he added.
A local man in his early 20s, believed to be the warehouse manager, was arrested to assist with the investigation.
"The case is being investigated under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLATFPUAA 2001), due to the scale of the operation and the involvement of a syndicate.
"This seizure involved 12 luxury brands, and the ministry has received commendable cooperation from the respective brand representatives.
"Without the collaboration of trademark holders, we would not have been able to proceed with the case," he said.
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