NEWS RELEASE
YORK REGIONAL POLICE
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Investigators with the York Regional Police Financial Crimes Unit have laid charges against eight people after thousands of counterfeit items were seized during search warrants executed at the Pacific Mall in the City of Markham in June 2018. The investigation began in April 2018 following complaints received from citizens regarding fake goods being sold at the Pacific Mall, located at Kennedy Road and Steeles Avenue.
On June 27, 2018, more than 30 officers executed warrants at seven businesses within the mall and seized luxury items believed to be counterfeit, including clothing and handbags. Police also executed a search warrant at the residence of one of the store owners.
A quantity of merchandise believed to be counterfeit was seized, along with a quantity of cash. In August 2018, investigators met with brand representatives from companies such as Adidas, Chanel, MCM, Louis Vuitton, Supreme, Dior, Givenchy and Cartier, among others. The majority of the merchandise was determined to be counterfeit. After more than a year-long investigation, officers have laid charges against eight people.
Charged:
- Xiaoting Du, 32, of the City of Markham
Charges:
- Knowingly or recklessly making a false representation to the public that is false or misleading in a material aspect, section 52(5) of the Competition Act
- Sell or offer for sale, or distribute on a commercial scale, any goods in association with a trade-mark, section 51.01(1) of the Trade-Marks Act
- Possession of proceeds of crime, Criminal Code
Charged:
- Jing Sun, 55, of Markham
- Siwen Sun, 29, of Markham
- Dan Chen, 34, of Aurora
- Yue Qin 29,of Ajax
- Xie Min Wu 55, of Toronto
- Jie Ni Lai 39, of Toronto
- Yi Long 31, of Toronto
Charges:
- Knowingly or recklessly making a false representation to the public that is false or misleading in a material aspect, section 52(5) of the Competition Act
- Sell or offer for sale, or distribute on a commercial scale, any goods in association with a trade-mark, section 51.01(1) of the Trade-Marks Act
York Regional Police would like to thank the New York Police Department, along with the Department of Homeland Security and Canada Border Services Agency for their assistance with this investigation.
The importation, distribution and sale of trademarked goods is illegal in Canada and any person or business involved in this activity could face federal charges. Counterfeiting harms the holders of intellectual property rights by directly affecting innovation, job creation and economic growth. Counterfeit goods affect the finances of legitimate businesses, governments and taxpayers. As these goods are often cheaply made and not up to Canadian standards, they not only defraud consumers but may also pose risks to consumer safety.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Financial Crimes Unit at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 6612 or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS, or leave an anonymous tip online at www.1800222tips.com.
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