PPP Trading Standards Successful Investigation into Counterfeit Goods at Address in Maidenhead.
Following an investigation conducted by the Public Protection Partnership (PPP) Trading Standards Team, Nabeel Ahmed (aged 42) and Nazia Iqbal (aged 41), both of Boyn Valley Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire, were subjected to confiscation orders following a conviction at Reading Crown Court on 22nd January 2020 to one count of applying Samsung trademarks to unbranded goods; one count of having in their possession counterfeit branded items including Apple, and Sky branded items in the course of their business with a view to sale or distribute; and one count of money laundering namely the possession of criminal property of £30,940.03. In addition, Nabeel Ahmed was found guilty of 5 further counts of money laundering namely being in possession or transferring criminal property namely funds totalling £324,102.05. Nazia Iqbal was acquitted of one further charge under the Trade Marks Act 1994.
After obtaining a warrant, officers entered Ahmed and Iqbal’s home address and seized amongst other branded items Sky Controllers, Apple products including charges, plugs and USB cables, and various Samsung products including wireless fast chargers, batteries, headphones, car chargers headphones, travel adapters etc. together with stickers and security documents in order to sell unbranded items as branded Samsung items.
Financial investigation into their bank accounts revealed significant transactions to bank accounts by way of cash or PayPal credits in addition to transferring money outside of the country to accounts in China.
A confiscation order was made in respect Ahmed which confirmed that through the offence he had acquired a criminal benefit of £32,182.63 of which £14,982.72 was jointly obtained with his wife, Iqbal. He was ordered to pay £2,000, being available in his account. A failure to pay will result in him having to serve two months imprison by default.
Iqbal’s confiscation order confirmed she had acquired a joint criminal benefit of £14,982.72. She has 3 months to pay this amount or risks six months in custody in default. She also has to pay £9,000 in costs.
The judge made a forfeiture order for all of the branded goods seized during the investigation as confirmed as counterfeit.
