Hong Kong Customs arrest eight in crackdown on fake watch sales
Officals raid seven businesses in Sheung Wan for sale of counterfeit timepieces allegedly brought in from mainland China
Hong Kong Customs Department officers arrested eight people and confiscated more than 200 bogus, pseudo-vintage timepieces in a series of raids on Sheung Wan antique businesses on Tuesday.
In an effort to root out counterfeit activities, customs officers posing as shoppers visited a number of antique shops and hawker stalls in Upper Lascar Row, also known as Cat Street, Hollywood Road, Lok Ku Road and Tung Street. The area is known for antiques, arts, painting, classic furniture, pottery and souvenirs.
Customs officials raided five antique shops and two hawker stalls on Tuesday after undercover agents were sold counterfeit, Omega-branded pocket watches and desk clocks.
During the operation, customs officers apprehended eight people – seven shop proprietors and one salesperson aged between 26 and 63 – and seized 224 fake, pseudo-vintage watches and clocks.
Sources with the knowledge of the case said the fake products were purchased from mainland China for 40 yuan (HK$46) to 100 yuan (HK$116) each before being brought into Hong Kong.
The Customs Department estimated the fake merchandise seized during Tuesday’s raids had a street value of HK$40,000.