Man jailed for £150,000 fake clothing scam

On Friday 2 June 2017, a man was sentenced to 30 months in prison at Inner London Crown Court, after pleading guilty to selling goods with unauthorised trademarks. Between March 2012 and February 2015, Meraj Gul, aged 34 of Godfrey Road in London, produced, sold and distributed fake merchandise bearing the branding and logos of music artists and designer brands such as Justin Bieber and One Direction, via eBay, totalling over £150,000. 

In July 2014, the City of London Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) received a crime report from Surelock International Limited (Surelock); a private investigation company who conduct investigations on behalf of the music industry. After carrying out test purchases on Gul’s eBay accounts, in which they bought hoodies, sweaters, t-shirts and vest tops, Surelock identified all of the items they received as counterfeit.

Warrants were carried out by PIPCU officers at two addresses in east London in February 2015, in which many items were seized, including; CCTV equipment, branded and non-branded clothing, stencil templates containing the designs of brands and machinery used to transfer logos and designs to unbranded clothing.

Following examination of the branded clothing, brand holder representatives determined all of the items produced in evidence to be counterfeit.

Acting Detective Superintendent and Head of the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU), Peter Ratcliffe, said:

“This sentencing proves that producing, selling and distributing fake goods online will not go unpunished. Not only does this act deprive the creative industry of revenue, it also puts the livelihoods of those working in it at risk.

“Through the hard work of our officers, and working with industry partners such as Surelock, we have effectively brought the man responsible to justice.

“We hope that this sentencing sends a warning to those carrying out this type of criminal activity and that their actions are not without consequences.”

Director of Surelock, Ron Harrison, said:

“Surelock are one of the UK’s most pro-active brand protection companies, who represent a number of clients including music artists where we act as enforcement agents for Trademarks and Rightsholders Against Piracy (TRAP). We received excellent service and cooperation from City of London Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU). A large amount of counterfeit merchandise was seized and this was ultimately a very successful operation for which we are grateful.”

PIPCU is a specialist national police unit dedicated to protecting UK industries that produce legitimate, high quality, physical goods and online digital content from intellectual property crime. The operationally independent unit launched in September 2013 and is funded from the Intellectual Property Office (IPO). The unit is based within the Economic Crime Directorate of the City of London Police, the National Policing Lead for Fraud. Since the unit launched, PIPCU has helped to protect consumers from being ripped off online by suspending more than 6,000 websites selling fake luxury branded goods as well as seizing more than £3.5million worth of fake goods. Since July last year the team has also diverted more than 11million views from illegal music and film sites to an official police page, warning the user that the website they are trying to access is currently under investigation by PIPCU. The page also includes signposts to safe and reliable websites that provide legitimate access to music, films and books, as well as a link to the PIPCU website so users can find out more information about the unit.

Documents

Clothes used to make fake merchandise Clothes used to make fake merchandise

Justin Bieber hoodie.jpg Justin Bieber hoodie.jpg

Photograph of Meraj Gul Photograph of Meraj Gul