The Fake phones seized in Nairobi were in a sting operation when inspectors from the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) raided several outlets in downtown Nairobi along Mfangano Street and seized 213 counterfeit mobile phones.
Fake Samsung phones and accessories worth more than Sh10 million have been seized by anti-counterfeit officers.
They also seized over 1000 mobile phone accessories including chargers.
The raid followed complaints from the phone maker and tip-offs from members of the public.
Seven traders were arrested during the raid with ACA saying that the street was graded as a notorious hotspot for selling counterfeits in the city.The counterfeiters hide the Samsung brand to avoid higher tax brackets from the customs authorities while at the same time infringing on the Samsung trademark at the selling level, said Director of Anti-Illicit Trade Company Peter Mutula.
This deceit leads to unfair trade to the genuine retailers as well as giving consumers poor quality products that have no warranties and do not last long, said Mutula.
The estimated value of the seizure is based on the present market price of the original versions.
ACA urged consumers to ensure they bought their products from authentic points instead of the counterfeits retailing at cheap prices.
Consumers were also urged to cultivate the culture of inquiring clear product information on quality and huge price variations from the traders and demand product warranty.
Fake phones seized in Nairobi: https://bit.ly/2m4Zhmo
The Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) was established under the Anti-Counterfeit Act 2008 as a State Corporation with the mandates to enlighten and inform the public on matters relating to counterfeiting, combat counterfeiting, trade and other dealings in counterfeit goods, devise and promote training programs to combat counterfeiting and co-ordinate with national, regional or international organizations involved in combating counterfeiting.
Contact us with any information to help us in fighting counterfeits.
