NEWS RELEASE
YORK REGIONAL POLICE
*************************
The York Regional Police Financial Crimes Unit has confirmed that thousands of items seized after executing seven search warrants at Pacific Mall and one at a residence in the City of Markham in June are counterfeit.
Complaints from citizens regarding fake goods being sold at the Kennedy Road/Steeles Avenue mall prompted this investigation, which began in April 2018.
On June 27, 2018, more than 30 officers executed warrants and seized items believed to be counterfeit, including clothes, handbags and cellphone accessories.
Police also executed a search warrant at the residence of an owner of one of the kiosks. A quantity of merchandise believed to be counterfeit was seized, along with a quantity of cash.
In late August, investigators travelled to New York City to meet with brand representatives from companies such as Adidas, Chanel, MCM, Supreme, Dior, Givenchy and Cartier among others. More than 200 samples of products seized, along with photographs of additional goods, were analyzed. All the merchandise was determined to be counterfeit.
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 ongoing investigation.
Counterfeit goods, whether smuggled into the country or produced in Canada, represent a financial loss to 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.
In some cases, legitimate retailers are duped into unknowingly selling fake products to consumers, while in other cases, the retailer is aware of what is being sold. Those retailers are subject to criminal charges under the Copyright Act, which can be punishable by fines of up to $1 million or imprisonment of up to five years.
The investigation is ongoing. 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.
*************************
