The Customs and Excise Department (Customs and Excise Department) raided a number of stalls suspected of selling counterfeit items in the area of Tung Choi Street (commonly known as "Ladies' Market") in Mong Kok, seizing more than 2,000 counterfeit items, including handbags, leather goods, mobile phone accessories, etc., with a total value of about $30,2. During the operation, Customs arrested two female stall leaders, aged 41 and 53, on suspicion of violating the Trade Description Regulations, and they were taken back to the Customs Headquarters for investigation. Customs said the case was still under investigation and did not rule out more arrests.

Customs and Excise raided a number of stalls suspected of selling counterfeit items in Tung Choi Street in Mong Kok and seized more than 2,000 counterfeit items, involving more than <> brands, including LV, GUCCI, CHANEL, CHRISTIAN DIOR, etc., but the quality was relatively uneven. (Photo by Zhu Yonglun)

Senior Inspector of the Customs and Excise General Investigation Unit on Copyright and Trademarks, Mr Fan Cheuk-yee, said that more than 100 Customs officers were mobilized to conduct inspections in the area of Tung Choi Street and raided 15 fixed and mobile hawker stalls, some of whom were suspected of selling counterfeit items, each worth about $300 to $1,000, which was one to three percent of genuine goods, involving more than <> brands, including LV, GUCCI, CHANEL, CHRISTIAN DIOR, etc., but the quality was relatively uneven.

With the Mid-Autumn Festival and Golden Week approaching, visitor arrivals have increased, with hawkers selling suspected counterfeit items to tourists. In order to reduce the risk of detection, criminals will use fish eye beads to mix counterfeit items into other brands and deliberately place them in an inconspicuous place, and when they find the target customers, they will ask them if they are interested in buying some brand items, and only after the customers have selected the style of the goods, the hawkers will take out the counterfeit items at the bottom of the table to sell.

Customs and Excise Department raided a number of stalls suspected of selling counterfeit items in Tung Choi Street in Mong Kok and seized more than 2,000 counterfeit items with a total value of about HK$30,<>. (Photo by Zhu Yonglun)

Customs said it had conducted an inspection in March this year and would step up inspections in the future to crack down on suspected sales of counterfeit items. The Customs and Excise Department also urges members of the public to make enquiries with brand agents or agents when visiting reputable shops. Merchants should be cautious when purchasing items. Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses counterfeit articles for sale is guilty of an offence and is liable on conviction to a maximum fine of $3,50 and imprisonment for 5 years.

Members of the public may report suspected infringing activities by calling the Customs and Excise Department's 24-hour hotline at 2545 6182 or through the dedicated Crime Reporting Email Account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).