ESBU busts counterfeit electronics ring selling famous brand rip-offs

 Detectives of the Main Detective Unit of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine have exposed a group of individuals who illegally used trademarks of international companies.

According to the investigation, individual entrepreneurs advertised and sold counterfeit electronics through websites, posing them as original products. The assortment included headphones, watches, hair dryers, and other goods, which were sold at reduced prices and delivered by mail across Ukraine.

ESBU detectives conducted searches in the Kyiv region, during which they seized over 4,000 units of counterfeit products as well as documents confirming their sale.

Specialists from the brand-owning companies confirmed that the seized goods are of low quality, do not meet standards, and were manufactured without the permission of the trademark owners.

According to preliminary estimates, the rights holders suffered approximately UAH 30 million in material damages.

The issue of notifying the suspects of suspicion under Art. 229 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal use of a trademark, brand name, or designation of origin without the rights holder's permission) is currently being resolved.

The pretrial investigation is ongoing.