KOTA KINABALU: Four traders have landed in the soup for selling an assortment of counterfeit branded handbags and perfumes at their shops here.

       Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry personnel seized 1,355 pieces of imitation accessories in the operation on Monday (June 13).

       Ministry Sabah director Georgie Abas said the shop owners were being investigated under Section 102(1)(c) of the Trademarks Act 2019 for selling suspected fake goods.

       “The seized items are valued at over RM24,000,” he said in a statement on Wednesday (June 15).

       He said each trader is liable to a maximum fine of RM10,000 for each item seized or imprisonment of not more than three years, or both, if convicted.

       Separately, the businesses themselves also face a maximum RM15,000 fine under the Act for each item seized.

       Georgie said a total of 25 personnel were involved in the raid that also saw four trademark representatives for the Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Victoria's Secret brands following along.

       He said this was the second successful raid by the ministry's Sabah office this year after the seizure of 437 counterfeit women's accessories such as handbags, sling bags, slippers, shoes and bracelets from retail outlets in the state capital and Penampang near here on March 8 and 9.

       The items seized then were valued at more than RM10,000, he added.

       “We will continue to enforce the Act to curb the selling of counterfeit goods and copyright (infringement) activities in the market.

       “Traders are reminded to be more responsible and to respect the intellectual property of others, and also double-check the authenticity of the products (they sell),” Georgie said.

       He also advised consumers not to support such businesses by buying imitation goods.