Illegal business using world-famous brand: ESBU shuts down two underground garment factories in the Lviv region

 Detectives of the Territorial Office of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine in the Lviv region have exposed a group of individuals illegally manufacturing clothing using a trademark owned by a well-known Italian company.

According to the investigation, a Lviv region resident and his accomplices organized two illegal sewing workshops in the town of Busk, where they produced clothing disguised as the famous brand. Local residents were recruited for these unlawful activities.

The counterfeit clothing was sold in two retail stores in Lviv and Busk, as well as through Telegram, Instagram, and online marketplaces. In addition to clothing, they also sold counterfeit accessories, headphones, and watches.

As part of the pre-trial investigation, 15 searches were conducted at the suspects' residences, registered addresses, places of illegal activity, and in their vehicles. Detectives seized a significant amount of counterfeit goods, labels, tags, fabric, equipment, and cash.

According to preliminary estimates, the value of the seized counterfeit goods is approximately UAH 14 million.

The pre-trial investigation is ongoing under Part 3 of the Art. 229 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (Illegal use of a trademark, trade name, or qualified indication of origin of goods).

Operational support is provided by officers of the 6th Volyn Border Guard Detachment of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine and the Cybercrime Counteraction Department in the Lviv region of the Cyber Police Department.
Procedural guidance is carried out by prosecutors of the Lviv Regional Prosecutor's Office.