Anti-counterfeiting
Wealth warning to traders of fakes
Southwark trading standards has issued the following stark warning to any traders thinking of breaking the law by selling counterfeit goods.
Fakes, snides, bootlegs, replicas - don't let them ruin your life
If you sell fakes it is not just the goods you will lose;
- your liberty is at risk
- your home and possessions are at risk
- your whole livelihood is at risk
Everyone knows that selling fakes is a criminal offence - that's why honest, hardworking traders don't get involved in them.
However for those prepared to break the law be aware that trading standards now uses powers in the Proceeds of Crime Act to seek confiscation of assets gained from criminal activity.
This means you don't just get summonsed to court and risk a fine or imprisonment - all your financial affairs can be investigated including;
- mortgages
- benefits
- other incomes
- lifestyle assets (e.g. property, vehicles, luxury possessions etc.)
The courts can confiscate anything that you can't prove has been earned legitimately. One seller of fakes we investigated had to pay £30,000 back on top of £6,500 court costs whilst a Lewisham based trader had to pay back £142,000.
We also work with private and council market operators and auction websites to ensure that anyone selling illegal goods can be stopped from trading.
Don't take the risk - get real.
