Gloucestershire County Council’s Trading Standards team have seized counterfeit bags and jewellery from a Gloucester man.
The Hucclecote man was discovered by Trading Standards Officers during routine monitoring of Facebook and other social media being used to sell fake goods. Officers also received a number of anonymous reports from the public about his activities.
An entry warrant was executed on his home, ask followed by a visit to a retail outlet belonging to the man in Gloucester city centre. Trading Standards seized a small quantity of counterfeit Chanel and Dior earrings and bags branded as Michael Kors.
Over 100 badges and emblems containing the trademarks of brands such as Mulberry, and Michael Kors, Prada and Moschino were seized during the house raid. These would have been attached to the counterfeit bags ready to be sold.
Eddie Coventry, Head of Trading Standards, said; “Our teams will continue to monitor social media for the sale of counterfeits and potentially unsafe items.
“They have a range of actions available to clamp down on this illegal trade, from sending messages advising them to stop selling through to issuing warrants and seizing goods.
“Anyone trying to sell counterfeit items should be aware that they cannot hide online. Our officers monitor the internet as well as the high street.”
Cllr Will Windsor-Clive, cabinet member for fire, planning and infrastructure, said; “Once again our Trading Standards team have had success through monitoring social media for the sale of counterfeit goods.
“The sale of these fake goods takes trade away from legitimate business, and the public should avoid buying them. Counterfeit items do not undergo quality control or safety checks, so you could be putting yourself or others at risk.
“If something seems too good to be true, it usually is!”
If anyone has information they would like to pass on regarding the sale of counterfeit, or suspiciously cheap goods, they can tell us via the national consumer helpline on 03454 04 05 06 or via our website, glos.tradingstandards.uk.