Fake products worth over Dh23 million seized during Ramadan

Over 635,000 fake products including branded bags, smartphones seized in Dubai.

The Department of Economic Development Dubai seized over 635,000 fake products worth more than Dh23 million during the holy month of Ramadan.
Officials of the Intellectual Property Rights Department of the Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection Sector at the department conducted raids on 25 flats and 12 stores, and warehouses in the emirate, said Ibrahim Behzad, Director if Intellectual Property Rights -DED.
"The crackdowns were part of the DED's strategy and plans, which are designed to preserve and shield the intellectual property of trade brands and clear the local market in the emirate of the fake and imitated products, a step seen as positive in safeguarding the consumers from trade fraud, misappropriation and preserving the rights of the trade brand owners," he noted.
The items seized included 30,000 duplicate pieces of accessories, women's bags of different international trade brands that are worth Dh5 million.
"Task force of the department has raided 12 apartments. The unscrupulous traders had turned them into stores to avoid being found," he said. Over 100,000 fake mobile phones and accessories worth around Dh3 million were seized from these traders."
"Seizures also included a main warehouse used for storing counterfeit goods, from where the task force confiscated 500,000 fake smartphone accessories, bearing the names of major trade brands, worth total value of Dh15 million," he disclosed.
Behzad said these seizures, which took place during the holy month came as part of the department's initiative to conserving and protecting the trade brands from being forged and infringed.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai