Hong Kong authorities have arrested two women for selling counterfeit football merchandise and seized about 1,000 items, including fake jerseys of English Premier League teams Arsenal and Liverpool, who are in the city to play friendly matches in the coming week.
The operation by the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department was carried out a day before the start of the week-long Hong Kong Football Festival, which will bring four of the world’s most renowned clubs to Kai Tak Stadium.
Customs officials earlier received a tip-off about fixed-pitch hawkers selling clothing with counterfeit logos of various football teams, including Liverpool, Arsenal and Leicester City, on Tung Choi Street in Mong Kok.
Following an investigation with help from the trademark owners, officers raided two hawker stalls on Wednesday, arresting the two women, aged 46 and 52, and seizing various items, including jerseys, jackets and caps worth an estimated HK$70,000 (US$8,900).
“An investigation is ongoing,” a spokesman said on Thursday. “Customs will continue to step up inspection and enforcement to vigorously combat the sale of counterfeit goods to safeguard consumer rights.”
Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, it is illegal to sell or possess for sale any goods with a forged trademark. Those found guilty of the offence can be fined up to HK$500,000 and jailed for a maximum of five years.
