Buying fake items on online shopping platforms is not unheard of. If you have bought fake Epson printer ink bottles before, you will be glad to learn that an online seller got raided, resulting in one of the largest seizures of fake Epson products in Malaysia worth almost RM350,000.
The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Costs of Living (Kajang Branch) was proud to announce that it has successfully raided the warehouse at Desa Sri Jenaris, Kajang, Selangor, which had no signboards. It took place on 28 August 2024 and uncovered over 10,000 fake Epson printer ink bottles. Based on investigations, the fake ink products were imported from China.
The online seller, known as SIEWLEETOH940 had been selling in the e-commerce platform, Shopee, for almost 2 years. The seller had a 4.9 out of 5-star rating and offered around 30 different products ranging from toys, furniture, fitness equipment, home appliances, printer ink and home improvement items. It also had 3,900 followers. However, there were complaints from customers on the website that they received fake products, damaged products or products not as advertised.
This prompted investigations by Epson Southeast Asia against the seller. Commending the support of the Enforcement Division, Ministry of Domestic Trade and Costs of Living in tackling the online trade of fake ink products, the company plans to take legal action against these sellers and work with e-commerce platforms to remove sales listings of counterfeit products or take down the whole online store entirely.
Selling counterfeit products is a criminal offence under the Trademarks Act 2019 and Trade Descriptions Act 2011 and convicted offenders risk heavy penalties and possible jail sentences. To find official ink bottles sold online, the list of authorised dealers can be found on the Epson Southeast Asia website here.
COMMENTS