Fake cosmetics worth Rs 24 lakh seized in Mumbai, five held

The Mumbai Police crime branch, on Friday, arrested five people for selling fake ‘Lakme’ cosmetic products of FMCG giant Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL). Acting a tip-off, a team from the crime branch unit conducted a raid on five stores located in Malad and seized fake cosmetic products worth Rs 24 lakh.

“We take strict action against people and gangs making duplicate products of popular brands and selling them to common people. We received a tip-off that a large number of fake products of the popular brand ‘Lakme’ of Hindustan Unilever Limited were being sold in large quantities at one shopping mall in Malad. The gang was deceiving customers as well as the company. After a proper tip-off we raided the place,” said a police officer.

Another police officer said, “We had a senior official representative of Hindustan Unilever Limited with us. The official did inspect all the products and said the embossing (packaging) and safety standards were fake and compromised. Products worth Rs 24 lakh were seized from all shops. Various products for different uses are seized.”

The arrested persons have been identified as Bhavesh RamnikBhai Karia (41), Tushar Suresh Shigvan (40), Ishwar VeljiBhai Aahir (31), Hardip Chimanlal Rajdev (56), and Dinesh Pokarram Gehlot (27).

All the accused have been charged under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, Copyright Act, and Trademark Act for forgery and cheating.

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