Hong Kong - Hong Kong Customs dismantled the circulation of large-value counterfeit goods just hours before the World Cup began. Citing Kyodo News, Friday, June 12, authorities seized 230,000 suspected counterfeit goods worth about US$20 million, including tens of thousands of tournament-related jerseys.
Of that number, about 30,000 are jerseys. Wayne Chung, senior inspector of the Hong Kong Customs Department, said some of the jerseys were so neatly made that they were difficult to distinguish from the original team jerseys.
Most of the jerseys are modeled after the player's version. This type is usually more expensive than the fan edition jersey because the design and materials are better.
All confiscated goods are intended for overseas markets. Almost 80 percent will be sent to the American region, where the World Cup is held jointly by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The World Cup opens on Thursday with Mexico's match against South Africa.
The seizure operation also found fake shoes, watches, speakers, and handbags. Some of the items were seized at the logistics center from the end of May to the beginning of June. At a press conference, the authorities also displayed counterfeit goods that resembled Louis Vuitton bags and Rolex watches.
Chung said items other than jerseys were likely prepared to meet the demand of tourists in other markets. Authorities are still investigating the origin of the goods.
In this case, a truck driver was arrested at a border post on a bridge connecting Hong Kong to mainland China and Macau. Five others were also arrested in connection with the online sale of fake jerseys. They have been released on bail.
According to Chung, people who import, export, sell, or possess counterfeit goods for sale can be sentenced to a maximum of five years in prison and a fine of around US$64,000 if found guilty.
The seizure comes as demand for World Cup jerseys and souvenirs has soared ahead of the start of the tournament.
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
