Cornwall Council’s Trading Standards team has today (16 December 2021) executed a warrant in the Rame, Penryn area against an on-line seller of fake, so-called ‘designer’ goods.
Trading Standards officers visited the property early this morning and found a substantial quantity of mixed brands of clothing, watches and footwear, which were being advertised for sale via the occupant’s social media pages.
Gary Webster, Cornwall Trading Standards Team Manager said, “We are keen to crack down on illegitimate traders such as these. Legitimate businesses have had an exceptionally hard time over the past two years in particular and they don’t need the additional struggle of competing with criminals for a share of the Christmas market.”
“In addition. we know that further up the supply chain, counterfeit goods are directly linked with terrorism and other high scale criminal activity. It’s important that we try and stamp out this market.”
Cornwall Council portfolio holder for public protection Martyn Alvey said: “I fully support the work that Cornwall Trading Standards are undertaking. It’s important to support Cornwall’s hard working business community and to protect consumers from spending their hard-earned cash on low quality fake goods.”
The case remains under investigation. If convicted the penalty under the Trade Marks Act can be an unlimited fine and/or up to 10 years imprisonment for each offence.
Story posted 16 December 2021
