KUWAIT: Ministry of Commerce and Industry inspectors busted a warehouse in Farwaniya containing more than 623,000 counterfeit goods — in what the ministry said was the largest raid in its history.
The items, imitations of famous international brands, were reportedly meant to be sold through social media auctions. Valued at KD 10 million, the items included a variety of goods such as accessories, bags, clothes and shoes.
The ministry said in a press release that the commercial control teams first became suspicious of the social media accounts selling these products online. Those accounts organized auctions or offered the products at prices significantly lower than the local branches of the international brands.
Upon detecting the suspicious activity, the teams monitored the accounts, ultimately identifying the source that was selling these counterfeit products to distributors in large quantities. The teams raided the warehouse after obtaining the relevant warrants.
Omar Al-Omar, the Minister of Commerce and Industry, praised the efforts of the inspection teams and their commitment to safeguarding Kuwaiti consumers against fraud. He emphasized the ministry’s dedication to developing its inspection system to ensure market’s stability and consumer protection. — KUNA