Man charged with selling counterfeit electronics on the Gold Coast
A 30-year-old Bulgarian national is scheduled to appear in Southport Magistrates Court today (Friday, 29 January), charged with allegedly selling and possessing counterfeit electronic goods at a retail kiosk in Surfers Paradise.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) received a referral from Trademark Investigation Services (TMIS), a private agency which investigates complaints against importing, wholesaling and selling counterfeit goods.
The referral led investigators to a kiosk located at a shopping centre in Surfers Paradise, selling electronic accessories.
On Tuesday 12 January 2016, the AFP with assistance from TMIS, executed search warrants at the kiosk, two residential addresses in Surfers Paradise, and at a third location in Algester, Brisbane.
During the search warrants, the AFP seized numerous items with false trademarks, including 145 headphones, 65 speakers, 91 mobile phone covers, 10 mobile phone chargers, headphones, and various boom boxes. TMIS estimate the retail value of the goods seized by the AFP to be $43,000.
The Queensland Police Service also seized an unregistered semi-automatic .22 rifle, an unregistered .556 bolt action rifle and a large quantity of ammunition.
The AFP subsequently arrested and charged the man with selling and possessing counterfeit goods to which a registered trademark was falsely applied, contrary to section 148(1) of the Trade Marks Act 1995 (Cth).
It will be alleged in court that the offender was using false business names and identities to operate the kiosk and an online site to sell the counterfeit goods as genuine.
AFP Manager Crime Operations Paul Osborne says this case should serve as a warning to other venders attempting to sell or buy counterfeit products.
“The AFP works closely with agency and industry partners to target criminals dealing in large-scale supply of counterfeit and pirated products, including organisers, importers and wholesalers,” Commander Osborne said.
Selling counterfeit products in Australia is a crime with legislation providing for a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment and two years for trademark offences.
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