PIPCU seizes £100k of fake clothing, urges consumers to shop savvy

The City of London’s Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) has urged Christmas shoppers to be on the look-out for fake goods, just days after seizing £100,000 ($134,020) worth of fake luxury clothing.

Officers from PIPCU executed a search warrant at an address in Hertfordshire, England on Tuesday, December 19, seizing luxury clothing imitating brands including Calvin Klein.

A man was arrested for selling goods with unauthorised trademarks, and the operation was initiated following a report from an industry partner.

Detective inspector Nicholas Court, of PIPCU, said: “The dangers of buying fake goods should not be underestimated. As shoppers look for last-minute gifts and bargains online, it is vital that you take extra care and check where you buy from. If an offer looks too good to be true, it probably is.”

A spokesperson for Calvin Klein added that the brand works closely with local law enforcement agencies to minimise the adverse impact of counterfeiting on the consumer.

PIPCU advised customers to check the spelling and grammar on the website and of the URL they are buying from, as often the people behind these sites will try to deceive you by slightly changing the spelling of a well-known brand or shop in the website address.

The unit added that customers should check where the trader is based and whether they provide a postal address. 

“Only deal with reputable sellers and only use sites you know or ones that have been recommended to you. If you have not bought from the seller before, do your research and check online reviews,” added PIPCU.