Fake mobile market thrives in Ajman and Sharjah

Sharjah - Majority of the customers are expatriates, who are in a scramble to get a good deal on smart phones made in China.

Despite several crackdowns, mobile vendors in Sharjah and Ajman continue selling cheap counterfeit smart phones. 
Majority of the customers are expatriates, who are in a scramble to get a good deal on smart phones made in China. The goods are being sold to labourers in industrial areas and are available in places like Rolla, Al Ghuwair market and at new industrial areas in Ajman. 
Mustafa Shamara, from Ajman, said while he was at his shop, a mobile vendor came and offered counterfeit BlackBerry phones, tablets and Android smartphones at unbelievable prices, that ranges between Dh50 and 200. 
"They look the same until you browse the menu and discover that the BB Messenger is missing. He then showed me counterfeit BB Q5 saying that they have the advantage of having a dual SIM," Shamara said.Balaney Kumar told Khaleej Times that there are many Chinese mobiles that resemble the original ones. People buy them because they believe it is more prestigious to carry them. 
Besides, these sellers make their new BlackBerry replicas look original by purchasing original casing and other phone accessories. Omar Al Sharjah, Director of Customer Services and Inspection at Sharjah Municipality, said the municipality has a plan to combat counterfeit products in cooperation with the Economic Department and Customs. 
Inspections which began before Eid will continue to crack down on mobile vendors selling illegal products. The municipality has recently seized a large number of counterfeit items including mobile phones. 
An official at Ajman Municipality said that the municipality is making great efforts to combat counterfeiting in the emirate. Raids are being carried out targeting mobile vendors and outlets selling fake products. 
"We didn't receive any complaints and information of selling of the fake smart devices, and the inspectors would not tolerate violators." 
An official at the Commercial Control and Protection Department at Sharjah Economic Development Department, said that the department was trying to work out a mechanism for curbing commercial fraud and infringement of intellectual property rights. 
"We have launched large number of inspections during the last six months in which the inspectors have confiscated and destroyed fake goods including compact discs, films, computers, plastic products, mobile phones and accessories, perfumes, car batteries and items of men's clothing." 
A senior official at Sharjah Ports and Customs Authority said inspectors were working round the clock to keep a tab on imported goods. A cooperative mechanism with the private and public sectors has been initiated to eliminate counterfeit products. 
"Sharjah Customs has adopted a proactive policy towards forming productive partnerships with brand and international companies based on transparency to enable its workforce to effectively implement the laws," the official said. 
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com

• Sharjah
• Ajman