The Singapore police have arrested a 55-year-old man for his suspected involvement in selling counterfeit goods online.
25,000 Items
The enforcement operations were conducted at Toh Guan Road East on Tuesday and Thursday, resulting in the seizure of more than 25,000 items, including purported trademark-infringing bottles of perfume, candles, and diffusers. The estimated street value of the seized items is more than S$2 million (US$1.5 million).
The police take a serious view of intellectual property rights infringement and warned that the distribution and sale of counterfeit goods are serious offences.
Those found guilty of possessing goods with falsely applied trademarks for the purpose of trade face a fine of up to S$100,000, a jail term of up to five years, or both.
The police stated that they will not hesitate to take tough action against perpetrators who profit at the expense of legitimate businesses and consumers. The sale of counterfeit goods not only harms the reputation of legitimate businesses but also poses risks to consumers, as the quality and safety of such goods are not guaranteed. The public is reminded to be vigilant and to purchase goods only from trusted sources.
This incident highlights the importance of protecting intellectual property rights and the serious consequences of selling counterfeit goods. The police will continue to take enforcement actions against those involved in such activities to maintain the integrity of the market and protect both businesses and consumers.
How to prevent yourself from being a victim of fake products
The police also advised the public to be cautious when purchasing goods online and to verify the authenticity of the products before making a purchase. Consumers can look out for red flags such as unusually low prices, poor quality packaging, and spelling or grammar mistakes in the product description.
In addition, consumers can check if the seller is an authorized dealer for the brand or if the product is being sold at a price that is significantly lower than the market rate. If a product is being sold at a significantly lower price, it may be a sign that it is counterfeit.
The police also reminded businesses to protect their intellectual property rights by registering their trademarks and monitoring the market for any infringing activities. Businesses can take legal action against those who infringe on their trademarks and seek assistance from the police or the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore.
The sale of counterfeit goods not only harms the reputation of legitimate businesses but also poses risks to consumers, as the quality and safety of such goods are not guaranteed. The police will continue to take enforcement actions against those involved in such activities to maintain the integrity of the market and protect both businesses and consumers.
In summary, the police have arrested a 55-year-old man for his suspected involvement in selling counterfeit goods online, with more than 25,000 items seized, comprising purported trademark-infringing bottles of perfume, candles, and diffusers. The estimated street value of the seized items is more than S$2 million (US$1.5 million). The police take a serious view of intellectual property rights infringement and warned that the distribution and sale of counterfeit goods are serious offences. The public is advised to be vigilant and to purchase goods only from trusted sources. Businesses are also reminded to protect their intellectual property rights by registering their trademarks and monitoring the market for any infringing activities.