Customs cops have seized more than 20,000 counterfeit designer phones and watches that were flown into an Austrian airport by traffickers from Hong Kong.
The haul includes dozens of fake iPhone Pros and Samsung mobiles and replicas of GBP 25,000 Panthere De Cartier watches.
The fraudsters even included fake self-assembly packaging in their consignments, say customs officials.
Police say the fakes were found in six shipments from Hong Kong that had been stored in a customs warehouse at Vienna Airport in Austria.
Ministry of Finance officials say a total of 21,744 designer counterfeits ranging from electronics to fashion accessories were found in a total of 344 boxes.
They included 8,214 fake Apple and Bose headphones, 20 computer chips, plus 48 ​Apple, Google, and Samsung ​mobile phones.
Officers also found 10,435 mobile phone covers, 201 mobile phone parts, 1,185 chargers, 209 smartwatches, and 70 memory cards.
The ministry added in a statement obtained by Newsflash: “In addition to electronics and cell phones, the customs officers also found 476 key rings, 10 bags, two pairs of sports shoes, and 110 pieces of packaging material in the boxes.
“The shipment also contained 466 watches, including suspected counterfeits from Cartier, Bulgari, and Hublot.”
They were reportedly destined to end up in Poland to be sold on the black market, say police.
Finance Minister Magnus Brunner said in a statement obtained by Newsflash: “This investigation shows the important work and valuable role of customs for the Austrian economy as well as the protection of consumers.
“Such actions underline the ongoing commitment of our customs officers in the fight against product piracy.”
The goods have been temporarily confiscated as police announced they will take action against the owners.
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Story By: Georgina Jadikovska, Sub-Editor: Michael Leidig, Agency: Newsflash
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