Trader fined over fake goods scam

Nov 8 2007 Paisley Daily Express

A ROGUE trader who was caught selling counterfeit Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton and Playboy goods by trading standards officers has been fined £500.

Attif Zeshan Hanif was found guilty of breaching both the Trade Descriptions Act and

the Trade Marks Act by selling counterfeit fashion jewellery from his stall at the In-Shops complex within The Paisley Centre.

Renfrewshire Council hope the £500 fine for first offender Hanif, which was imposed at Paisley Sheriff Court, will make others think twice about duping customers with fake merchandise.

Two trading standards officers visited Mr Hanif’s stall in December 2005 and found a large selection of poor-quality fashion jewellery on sale.

Some 67 items were seized and later found to be counterfeit. These will now be destroyed.

Councillor Marie McGurk, convener of Renfrewshire’s environment and infrastructure policy board, said: “This is another example of the excellent work that our trading standards officers do in protecting consumers in Renfrewshire.

“It’s only through the dedication of the team that crimes of this nature are uncovered.

“Unscrupulous traders can harm the town’s retail trade. This significant fine sends out a strong message and I hope it will discourage others from selling counterfeit goods in the future.”

Anyone who suspects they have been sold counterfeit goods or sees them on sale should contact the trading standards team on 0141 840 3184.