Asia IP

On July 14, 2014, Hong Kong Customs officers arrested a 12-year-old female Form-1 secondary student suspected of being involved in selling counterfeits during the summer vacation. A 23-year-old man who was suspected of directing the girl to deliver the suspected counterfeits to a Customs officer disguised as a buyer was also arrested.

Acting on information that a seller was offering suspected counterfeit cosmetics on an auction website, a Customs officer, disguised as a buyer, arranged to make a transaction in the afternoon of July 14. In the operation the girl was arrested and a batch of suspected counterfeit cosmetics including perfume, brushes, eye shadow and powder base with a total value of about HK$3,000 (US$380) were seized.

Acting on information provided by the girl, officers arrested the man believed to be the seller who had directed the girl to deliver the suspected counterfeit goods. Another batch of suspected counterfeit cosmetics with a total value of about HK$4,000 (US$515) was seized at his residence.

After investigation, it was believed that the seller tried to evade law enforcement and to lower the risk of being arrested by recruiting young people through online social networks to deliver the goods. They received HK$20 (US$3) for each transaction when they delivered the goods obtained from the man to the buyers.

A Customs spokesperson on July 15 appealed to members of the public to respect intellectual property rights and not to purchase or sell counterfeit goods. Young people should avoid getting involved in selling counterfeit goods. They should remain vigilant when applying for summer jobs. Parents are also reminded to pay attention to their children and give them proper guidance. Selling counterfeit goods is a serious crime and offenders would receive a criminal record when convicted. Young people should refrain from engaging in illegal activities that might ruin their future prospects.