Duo arrested for importing more than S$8,000 in counterfeit perfumes and cosmetics

The police have arrested two women, aged 21 and 23, for their suspected involvement in the importation and possession of counterfeit perfume and cosmetic products for trade, said the authorities in a statement. In a 19-hour operation on 6 August, officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Singapore Police Force (SPF)  mounted a raid at Tampines North Drive and Sunview Road where more than 16,000 pieces of counterfeit perfume and cosmetic products were seized. The items bore falsely applied trademarks and were estimated to have a street value of more than S$8,000.

Singapore Customs referred the case to CID when the customs agency inspected a consignment of more than 200 pieces of counterfeit perfume and cosmetic products on 25 July. The statement noted that preliminary investigations revealed the products were to be sold online. Investigations are still ongoing. The statement further cautions, “the authorities take a serious view on intellectual property right (IPR) infringements and will not hesitate to take action against perpetrators who show blatant disregard for Singapore’s IPR laws.” Those found guilty of importing, possessing or distributing goods with falsely applied trademarks for the purpose of trade may be sentenced up to a maximum fine of $100,000, or to an imprisonment term of up to five years, or to both. Back in December 2018, a 38-year-old woman was arrested for importing over 400 pieces of fake perfumes, cosmetics, sunglasses, bags and more worth over S$13,000. In October 2018, a 21-year-old man was arrested for importing and possessing more than 48,000 items of counterfeit bags and watches worth over S$520,000 to sell.