North trading standards officers have been involved in the UK’s first seizure of counterfeit Rugby World Cup 2015 merchandise.
This was revealed as Highland Council launched a new service where consumers or businesses in the Highlands can report fake goods and those who are supplying them, on the council’s website.
The online form gives people the option to remain anonymous.
Highland Council trading standards manager, Gordon Robb, said they were also involved in what is thought to be the UK’s first seizure of fake Rugby World Cup merchandise.
Highland trading Standards were also involved in what is thought to be the UK’s first seizure of fake Rugby World Cup merchandise.
Tournament director Alan Gilpin, said: “This is a very positive development for Rugby World Cup 2015 and for fans around the world and we would like to thank Highland Council trading Standards for their support.
“Fan experience is at the heart of the tournament and our message to everyone is to ensure that they buy Rugby World Cup 2015 merchandise, tickets, hospitality and supporter tours from official sources only, to avoid missing out.”
Mr Robb added: “Fake goods cheat consumers, can in some cases put their safety or health at risk, supports the criminal elements of our society and defrauds those who have invested time, money and their intellect in developing new products and brands.
“What someone has bought, believing it to be a quality product, can turn out to be a cheap shoddy copy. Worse still, especially with electrical products, personal items like perfumes and cosmetics or consumables such as alcohol and tobacco, the normal assurances associated with buying branded goods don’t exist and can put people at risk.
“To tackle this problem we need information from the public and our new online form is an easy way for people to report relevant information to us.”
Fake clothing, luxury goods, jewellery, footwear, hair straighteners, headphones, alcohol and tobacco have all been the subject of recent investigations by trading standards in Highland which have resulted in successful prosecutions and other formal enforcement outcomes.
Mr Robb said: “We obtained a warrant to enter and search a local property where a quantity of counterfeit goods of various kinds was being offered for sale through a social networking account and seized the goods.
“A further large seizure of fake and falsely described jewellery was made from a Highland based trader who was using internet auction sites to sell the goods. Both cases are being reported to the procurator fiscal.”