12 netted for graft-facilitated Microsoft counterfeit scams
2000-8-3
The ICAC has yesterday and today (Wednesday and Thursday) arrested a group of 12 for allegedly selling and smuggling high-quality counterfeit Microsoft computer software and Epson ink cartridges with the corrupt assistance of a freight company employee.
During a four-month investigation, ICAC undercover officers had posed as buyers of counterfeit goods. Over 980 copies of counterfeit copies of Microsoft Window 98 computer software and over 8,000 fake Epson ink cartridges, worth $2 million in total, have been seized.
During yesterday’s operation “Iron Tower”, a bulk of counterfeit IT products were seized from an IT trading company, which was believed to be an international distributing centre of counterfeit and infringing Microsoft and Epson products.
The arrestees netted in yesterday’s operation included a 38-year-old Assistant Officer II of the Correctional Services Department (CSD), who had allegedly dealt with the counterfeit goods.
The remaining arrestees were a vice president of a freight company, three employees of two IT products firms, an owner of a third IT products company, a businessman, a school teacher and four unemployed men, aged between 20 and 44.
The ICAC commenced investigations after receiving information in March this year alleging that two wholesalers of contraband computer software had been supplying counterfeit Window 98 and Epson ink cartridges to individual buyers under the protection of some government officers.
The arrested vice president of a freight company was suspected to have taken bribes to help smuggle the counterfeit goods out of Hong Kong.
One of the alleged wholesalers is currently serving a jail sentence for copyright infringement.
It was suspected that his illegal business had been taken over by his brother, sister and the arrested CSD officer.
Between May and July this year, ICAC undercover officers had on two occasions bought about 180 copies of counterfeit software from the other alleged wholesaler, valued over $100,000.
Microsoft (Hong Kong) Limited has confirmed that the products obtained were high-quality counterfeits, with manuals and certificates of authenticity.
The company also confirmed that the discs were in fact replicated by a genuine Microsoft stamper.
On a third occasion, another undercover officer bought about 700 counterfeit Epson ink cartridges from the siblings of the jailed wholesaler.
The goods were then shipped to the United Kingdom with the assistance of the arrested freight company staff.
The ICAC has secured the assistance of the UK New Scotland Yard to receive the counterfeit goods at the UK port.
One of the arrestees has been released on ICAC bail, while the remaining suspects are being detained by the ICAC. Inquiries are continuing.
During a four-month investigation, ICAC undercover officers had posed as buyers of counterfeit goods. Over 980 copies of counterfeit copies of Microsoft Window 98 computer software and over 8,000 fake Epson ink cartridges, worth $2 million in total, have been seized.
During yesterday’s operation “Iron Tower”, a bulk of counterfeit IT products were seized from an IT trading company, which was believed to be an international distributing centre of counterfeit and infringing Microsoft and Epson products.
The arrestees netted in yesterday’s operation included a 38-year-old Assistant Officer II of the Correctional Services Department (CSD), who had allegedly dealt with the counterfeit goods.
The remaining arrestees were a vice president of a freight company, three employees of two IT products firms, an owner of a third IT products company, a businessman, a school teacher and four unemployed men, aged between 20 and 44.
The ICAC commenced investigations after receiving information in March this year alleging that two wholesalers of contraband computer software had been supplying counterfeit Window 98 and Epson ink cartridges to individual buyers under the protection of some government officers.
The arrested vice president of a freight company was suspected to have taken bribes to help smuggle the counterfeit goods out of Hong Kong.
One of the alleged wholesalers is currently serving a jail sentence for copyright infringement.
It was suspected that his illegal business had been taken over by his brother, sister and the arrested CSD officer.
Between May and July this year, ICAC undercover officers had on two occasions bought about 180 copies of counterfeit software from the other alleged wholesaler, valued over $100,000.
Microsoft (Hong Kong) Limited has confirmed that the products obtained were high-quality counterfeits, with manuals and certificates of authenticity.
The company also confirmed that the discs were in fact replicated by a genuine Microsoft stamper.
On a third occasion, another undercover officer bought about 700 counterfeit Epson ink cartridges from the siblings of the jailed wholesaler.
The goods were then shipped to the United Kingdom with the assistance of the arrested freight company staff.
The ICAC has secured the assistance of the UK New Scotland Yard to receive the counterfeit goods at the UK port.
One of the arrestees has been released on ICAC bail, while the remaining suspects are being detained by the ICAC. Inquiries are continuing.