A group of four individuals who made and sold imitation goods in the popular shopping district of Myeong-dong, Seoul, were arrested by the police Monday.

Seoul Jungbu Police said a man surnamed Lee, 33, and three others were booked without detention on charges of violation of the Trademarks Law.

Between April and September, the four had sold fake Louis Vuitton bags and Rolex watches, along with counterfeits of 39 other brand names, making profits worth 40 million won ($36,000). 

The police discovered 374 fake goods in a warehouse attached to the group’s shop. If these goods had been authentic, they would have been worth roughly 8.3 billion won, the police said.

The suspects had been eluding the police by displaying the fake products with incomplete brand logos.

Selling counterfeit products with complete brand logos is a violation of the Trademarks Law and is grounds for immediate arrest.

The suspects had completed the logos of the goods in a separate work space only when the customer was sure to make a purchase.

The police vowed to continue to keep an eye on the area and prevent activities that might tarnish Myeong-dong’s tourist friendly image.



By Lim Jeong-yeo (kaylalim@heraldcorp.com