JAKARTA - Hong Kong Customs has arrested 15 people and confiscated more than 100 thousand Qatar 2022 World Cup jerseys which are suspected to be imitation. The total value is all 50 million Hong Kong dollars or Rp99 billion.
The officers initially arrested 14 perpetrators, all of whom were men aged between 34 and 64 years. Meanwhile, another perpetrator named Kwun Tong was arrested after allegedly selling the fake jersey online. All of them have been released on bail, while waiting for the results of the investigation.
Customs officers said the confiscated imitation World Cup jersey was a high-quality clone. On the jersey, the QR code is even attached directly to the original manufacturer's website.
Most of the confiscated jerseys are ready-to-export goods to Europe, South America and Africa. Meanwhile, a small part of it is prepared to be marketed locally.
The confiscation operation came after authorities saw increased local and international demand for jerseys related to upcoming events.
The arrests were carried out by intercepting the perpetrators at a control point in Shenzhen Bay and Hong Kong-Z handicraft-Macau Bridge. In addition, operations were also held between October 31 and November 10 at the company's location in Yuen Long, Tsing Yi and Kwai Chung.
The commander of Iris Cheung's Division, which oversees the cross-border customs bridge command in Shenzhen Bay, said officers used X-ray devices to detect "suspicious trucks" carrying the allegedly fake jersey.
The officer then became suspicious after the detection results showed the load placed denser in the middle or behind the container, where the fake jerseys were deliberately piled up with other goods, making it difficult to check.
The Commander of the Transnational Investigation Division Intellectual Property Skyung said the majority of allegedly fake jerseys featured the latest design of the 2022 World Cup contestants national team. To make that jersey, manufacturers "do not spend money" on obtaining permission from the original brand.
The jersey is designed with a three-dimensional font and is claimed to be made in environmentally friendly cloth. The jersey packaging is so neat that it resembles the original products of well-known brands such as Nike, Adidas and Puma.
Gary Hung, Head of Intellectual Property Operations Investigation Team Gary Hung, reminded that reflecting on this case, customers need to be more careful when deciding to shop for jerseys. They are advised to be wary of items whose prices are tilted.
"Before making a transaction decision, customers must pay attention to complete business addresses and contact information, provided by websites or social media platforms, so that customers can follow up when there are problems with their products," said Hung, quoted by Hong Kong Free Press, Thursday, November 17.
The 2022 World Cup will begin on Sunday 20 November, where Qatar hosts are scheduled to meet Ecuador at Al Bayt Stadium. A total of 64 matches will be played to determine which country will be crowned champions on 18 December.
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