Based on the materials of detectives of the Territorial Department of the Bureau of Economic Security in Odesa region, the court sentenced three men who illegally sold counterfeit Apple gadgets. The organizer of the criminal group and two accomplices were fined.
Organized sale of counterfeit Apple gadgets
Earlier, the BES detectives established that a 29-year-old resident of Odesa organized the sale of copies of headphones, smartwatches, chargers and other phone accessories of well-known brands through a specially created website and Instagram page. He sent orders throughout Ukraine by mail. He accepted payments by bank card or e-wallet.
Two friends helped him set up mass production and sales of the equipment. The men would buy cheap Chinese counterparts, stick branded stickers on them, and then present them for sale as original equipment of a well-known brand.
During the searches, detectives seized headphones, smartwatches, chargers and other accessories worth more than UAH 30 million (∼USD 705,000).
Losses for Apple
The investigation established that as a result of the illegal use of the Apple logo, the members of the criminal group caused the right holder losses in excess of UAH 6.5 million (∼USD 153,000). During the pre-trial investigation, the suspects reimbursed them in full.
The men were found guilty of committing criminal offenses stipulated by Part 3 Article 27 and Part 3 Article 229 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal use of a trademark, trade name, qualified indication of the origin of goods).
The organizer of the criminal group was sentenced to a fine of UAH 153 thousand, and the accomplices – to UAH 136 thousand each.
