Customs arrests two over fake jewellery at expo
HK01 · 2 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago5 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong Customs said it arrested two people after an enforcement operation targeting suspected infringing jewellery being sold at the Hong Kong Jewellery and Gem Fair. Officers later searched a company address in Hung Hom and said they seized a total of 27 suspected infringing items worth about HK$160,000, including earrings, bracelets and necklaces.
Key Points
- Customs' Copyright and Trademark Investigation Bureau said it acted after receiving a tip-off about suspected infringing jewellery at a sales booth at the “Hong Kong Jewellery and Gem Exhibition”.
- With assistance from the copyright owner, officers raided the exhibition booth and seized 24 suspected infringing jewellery items during the special operation.
- Customs then searched the address of a company in Hung Hom and found three more suspected infringing items, bringing the total seized to 27.
- The goods included earrings, bracelets and necklaces, with an estimated market value of about HK$160,000, according to Customs.
- A 47-year-old man and a 65-year-old woman, identified as the person in charge and an employee, were arrested on suspicion of breaching the Copyright Ordinance.
- Customs officer Ho Ko-kit (何高節), an investigating group commander in the bureau, said the case remained under investigation and further arrests were possible.
- Customs said the seized imitation jewellery was highly realistic and was being sold at about 20 per cent of the price of genuine products.
- The department said it regularly inspects exhibitions, contacts trademark or copyright owners to verify suspect goods, and will take swift enforcement action when needed.
Why It Matters
For exhibition visitors and buyers, the case is a reminder that counterfeit or infringing goods can appear even at major trade or retail events, and that unusually low prices may be a warning sign. Customs also reiterated that selling, or possessing for sale, infringing or counterfeit goods can lead to heavy fines and imprisonment under Hong Kong law.