Latest news with #counterfeit
CNA
a day ago
- CNA
Cute, coveted - and counterfeit: China seizes 46,000 fake Labubu toys as state media sound alarm
BEIJING: Chinese customs authorities have recently seized more than 46,000 counterfeit Labubu toys, as the viral popularity of the trendy collectibles fuels a parallel boom in fakes and scalping. The surge in knock-offs has prompted state media warnings about a growing 'black market chain' exploiting consumers and infringing on intellectual property rights. Featuring a scruffy, wide-eyed creature with a devilish grin, Labubu shot to international fame through a combination of celebrity endorsements and social media hype. Sold by Chinese toy giant Pop Mart, Labubu's appeal has been fuelled by limited-edition drops and themed collections that heighten its sense of exclusivity. But the frenzy has also sparked a flood of counterfeits, dubbed 'Lafufu' by collectors. The latest seizures by Chinese customs authorities spanned three regions, with a significant haul logged last Thursday (Jun 12) at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge checkpoint in Zhuhai, Guangdong province. A total of 20,599 fake Labubu dolls were seized in three separate inspections of export-bound trucks. The shipments were found to have the Pop Mart logo printed on the packaging and the toys without authorisation, said China Customs in a statement on Wednesday evening. Similarly, customs officials at Ningbo in Zhejiang province found 20,240 counterfeit Labubu products while inspecting a batch of children's toys, plastic cups and other goods. In another incident at Shanghai's Pudong Airport, customs officers inspecting outbound express mail seized 5,961 knock-off Labubu toys that had been falsely declared as 'plush ornaments'. China Customs did not specify the exact dates of the seizures in Ningbo and Shanghai Pudong Airport, stating only that they took place 'recently'. It reminded exporters and agents that all goods must be truthfully declared under the law, including accurate disclosure of their intellectual property status. Offenders risk having their goods confiscated and being handed a fine. In more serious cases, they could face criminal prosecution and jail, the authorities warned. STATE MEDIA WARN OF FAKES AND FLIPPERS As the Labubu craze sweeps across China and the rest of the world, Chinese state media have warned of a growing influx of counterfeit goods and scalpers profiting at the expense of unsuspecting consumers. A commentary published Wednesday on the official WeChat account of People's Daily, China's Communist Party's flagship newspaper, warned that 'outlaws' were capitalising on the hype through rampant scalping of limited-edition Labubu dolls and the sale of counterfeits. It cited a recent case of law enforcement officers in Zhejiang busting three separate cases involving the manufacturing and sale of fake Labubu dolls. The commentary also mentioned the rush to buy Labubu dolls in the secondary market, referencing the auction in Beijing earlier this month where a human-sized Labubu figure was sold for a record 1.08 million yuan (US$150,220). 'In some secondhand markets, scalpers maliciously hoard goods and resell them at high prices, seriously disrupting normal market order,' the commentary said, adding that some merchants were selling imitation Labubu products under labels such as 'affordable substitutes' or 'one-to-one high imitations'. The People's Daily commentary also criticised cases where scalpers used software to buy genuine Labubu products, then colluded with 'high-imitation merchants' to mix authentic and fake dolls for resale. This has made it difficult for consumers to protect themselves, as a 'black market chain' has been formed, said the commentary. 'The blatant sale of these high-end Labubu (dolls) not only seriously infringes on Pop Mart's intellectual property rights and damages its brand image, but it also greatly infringes on the legitimate rights and interests of consumers.' The People's Daily's commentary further called on online platforms to 'fulfil their principal responsibilities', such as strengthening reviews on merchants and penalising those who sell counterfeit products, as well as protecting consumers' rights and interests. It also called on regulators to enhance consumer protection mechanisms, step up intellectual property enforcement, and intensify crackdowns on copyright infringement and counterfeits.
The Australian
a day ago
- The Australian
Sydney police bust fake luxury goods ring, seize cars, cash, firearms
Police have busted a $10m counterfeit luxury goods ring, seizing nine luxury cars, hundreds of fake designer items, cash, and a firearm in sweeping raids across western Sydney. Organised Crime Squad detectives arrested three men in the early-morning raids sparked by an extensive investigation into an organised criminal syndicate allegedly involved in selling fake luxury goods. Fake watches were seized. Picture: NewsWire Handout Officers allege the group used social media sites to sell fake high-end clothing, shoes, handbags and watches, moving an estimated $9.75m in profits through various bank accounts. Strike Force Alcova detectives swooped on properties in Fairfield East, Merrylands and Guildford, on Wednesday, locating nine cars including Lamborghinis worth about $3m, more than 500 counterfeit luxury items, $270,000 in cash, and a gel blaster firearm. Organised Crime Squad commander Detective Superintendent Peter Faux compared the raided properties to a store. 'We seized an extremely large amount of fraudulent items, counterfeit items across the three premises,' he said. 'It was quite interesting. These three premises look like you're inside a department store.' A gel blaster firearm was discovered. Picture: NewsWire Handout $270,000 in cash was also seized. Picture: NewsWire Handout Three men - two aged 30 and one 33 - were arrested and taken to Granville Police Station. They were charged with multiple offences including concealing proceeds of a crime and participating in a criminal group. All three were refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court on Thursday. Three men were arrested. Picture: NewsWire Handout Police said the arrests sent a clear message to organised crime groups profiting off online deception. 'We will allege these individuals built a multimillion-dollar empire by deceiving consumers and undermining legitimate businesses,' Superintendent Faux said. 'Behind the filters and followers was a sophisticated criminal enterprise exploiting digital platforms to sell counterfeit luxury goods. 'This kind of organised crime will not go unchecked. The NSW Police Force, working closely with the NSW Crime Commission, has not only arrested those responsible but are actively targeting the profits they've made illegally.' NSW Crime Commission executive director Darren Bennett added the operation had uncovered a significant stockpile of assets. 'The evidence suggests this criminal group stockpiled significant wealth – vehicles, cash, and luxury goods – through the sale of counterfeit items. These assets are now under the control of the NSW Crime Commission,' he said. 'We've commenced proceedings to recover millions of dollars, with the aim of returning that money to the people of NSW. This is a clear example of how financial investigations can strike at the heart of organised crime.' Police are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers. Amelia Swan Journalist Amelia Swan joined News Corp as a cadet reporter in 2024. Amelia Swan
News.com.au
a day ago
- News.com.au
Lamborghinis, fake watches and $10m in cash: Social media scam busted in police sting
Police have busted a $10m counterfeit luxury goods ring, seizing nine luxury cars, hundreds of fake designer items, cash, and a firearm in sweeping raids across western Sydney. Organised Crime Squad detectives arrested three men in the early-morning raids sparked by an extensive investigation into an organised criminal syndicate allegedly involved in selling fake luxury goods. Officers allege the group used social media sites to sell fake high-end clothing, shoes, handbags and watches, moving an estimated $9.75m in profits through various bank accounts. Strike Force Alcova detectives swooped on properties in Fairfield East, Merrylands and Guildford, on Wednesday, locating nine cars including Lamborghinis worth about $3m, more than 500 counterfeit luxury items, $270,000 in cash, and a gel blaster firearm. A 30-year old in Fairfield East, a 33-year old in Merrylands and a 30-year-old in Guildford were arrested and taken to Granville Police Station. The 30-year old Fairfield East man was charged with multiple offences including concealing proceeds of crime, and participating in a criminal group. The 33-year-old man from Merrylands was charged with similar offences and the 30-year old from Guildford was also charged with failing to comply with a digital evidence access order direction. All three were refused bail and will appear in Parramatta Local Court later on Thursday. Organised Crime Squad commander Detective Superintendent Peter Faux said the arrests sent a clear message to organised crime groups. 'We will allege these individuals built a multimillion-dollar empire by deceiving consumers and undermining legitimate businesses,' he said. 'Behind the filters and followers was a sophisticated criminal enterprise exploiting digital platforms to sell counterfeit luxury goods. 'This kind of organised crime will not go unchecked. The NSW Police Force, working closely with the NSW Crime Commission, has not only arrested those responsible but are actively targeting the profits they've made illegally.' NSW Crime Commission executive director Darren Bennett added the operation had uncovered a significant stockpile of assets. 'The evidence suggests this criminal group stockpiled significant wealth – vehicles, cash, and luxury goods – through the sale of counterfeit items. These assets are now under the control of the NSW Crime Commission,' he said. 'We've commenced proceedings to recover millions of dollars, with the aim of returning that money to the people of NSW. This is a clear example of how financial investigations can strike at the heart of organised crime.'
ABC News
a day ago
- ABC News
Three men to front court after police seize high-end cars, watches from alleged scammers
Lamborghinis, Rolexes and hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash have been seized from a Western Sydney group police allege netted $10 million by selling fake designer items. Three men are expected to face court after sweeping raids on Wednesday saw officers uncover a treasure trove of high-end goods and luxury cars. NSW Police alleged the group used social media to sell the fake products and profited about $9.7 million from the scam on unsuspecting customers online. Strike Force Alcova was set up by the Organised Crime Squad to investigate, using resources from the Unexplained Wealth Unit and the NSW Crime Commission to uncover the syndicate. Police said the group sold an array of fake goods, from clothing and watches to shoes and handbags. "We will allege these individuals built a multi-million-dollar empire by deceiving consumers and undermining legitimate businesses," Organised Crime Squad commander Peter Faux said. "Behind the filters and followers was a sophisticated criminal enterprise exploiting digital platforms to sell counterfeit luxury goods. "This kind of organised crime will not go unchecked. The NSW Police Force ... has not only arrested those responsible but are actively targeting the profits they've made illegally." Police seized nine luxury cars worth $3 million, $270,000 in cash and more than 500 counterfeit designer items. Among the high-end vehicles towed away were a Porsche, a McLaren, a Mercedes and two Lamborghinis. Police charged the trio with proceeds of crime and participating in a criminal group offences. They are a 30-year-old from Fairfield East, a 33-year-old from Merrylands and a 30-year-old from Guildford. The men are due to face Parramatta Local Court on Thursday. "The evidence suggests this criminal group stockpiled significant wealth — vehicles, cash and luxury goods — through the sale of counterfeit items," NSW Crime Commission Executive director Darren Bennett said. "These assets are now under the control of the NSW Crime Commission. 'We've commenced proceedings to recover millions of dollars with the aim of returning that money to the people of New South Wales."
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS The astonishing story behind this purple Lamborghini seized by NSW police in Sydney
NSW Police have charged three men after uncovering a syndicate allegedly responsible for selling counterfeit luxury goods worth nearly $10million via social media. The arrests follow an extensive investigation under Strike Force Alcova, launched by the State Crime Command's Organised Crime Squad Unexplained Wealth Team in collaboration with the NSW Crime Commission. The syndicate is accused of distributing fake designer clothing, watches, shoes, and handbags, while laundering millions in profits through multiple bank accounts. Police allege the group used social media platforms to market and sell the counterfeit items, generating approximately $9.75million in illicit revenue. Police executed three search warrants in in Fairfield East, Merrylands and Guildford. During the raids, officers seized nine vehicles valued at around $3million including a purple Lambo, over 500 counterfeit luxury items, $270,000 in cash, and a gel blaster firearm. Three men were arrested at the respective locations and taken to Granville Police Station. The 30-year-old Fairfield East man faces multiple charges including dealing with proceeds of crime, concealing criminal proceeds, and participating in a criminal group. The 33-year-old Merrylands man was charged with similar offences, while the 30-year-old Guildford man also faces a charge for failing to comply with a digital evidence access order. All three were refused bail and are scheduled to appear in Parramatta Local Court today. Detective Superintendent Peter Faux, Commander of the Organised Crime Squad said the arrests send a strong message to criminal networks. 'We will allege these individuals built a multi-million-dollar empire by deceiving consumers and undermining legitimate businesses,' he said. 'Behind the filters and followers was a sophisticated criminal enterprise exploiting digital platforms to sell counterfeit luxury goods.' NSW Crime Commission Executive Director Darren Bennett praised the operation, highlighting the seizure of tainted assets. 'The evidence suggests this criminal group stockpiled significant wealth through the sale of counterfeit items. These assets are now under the control of the NSW Crime Commission,' he said. 'We've commenced proceedings to recover millions of dollars, with the aim of returning that money to the people of New South Wales.'
