In an operation carried out on Thursday, March 28th, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confiscated several Apple products, including iPhones, in Belfast and Portadown. Over 20,000 counterfeit products were seized in this operation. The goal of this operation is part of the government’s mission to minimize the sale of knock-off products to consumers in the country.
Although the PSNI spokesperson, Detective Sergeant Mason, did not disclose specific details about the counterfeit products seized, a report from the BBC indicated that a significant number of them were Apple gadgets. The knock-off products seized in the operation mainly included AirPods, iPhones, and various other unidentified cell phones and smartwatches.
According to DS Mason, the counterfeit products seized represent an estimated brand loss of over $600,000 to Apple and other high street brands. This is not surprising given Apple’s popularity, which makes their counterfeit products easier to market and sell to non-cautious users.
Counterfeit Apple products are sold worldwide, and unsuspecting consumers can fall victim to these sales. If you’re considering purchasing products from popular brands like Apple, it’s crucial to visit their official stores or other authorized retailers to avoid falling victim to counterfeit products.
Knock-off Apple products like AirPods and charging cables can be challenging to distinguish from genuine versions, especially for non-tech-savvy consumers. Therefore, buying from legitimate vendors is essential if you want to avoid becoming the next victim.