64,000 fake auto parts worth Dh3m seized

The Commercial Compliance & Consumer Protection (CCCP) sector in the Department of Economic Development (DED), Dubai, has confiscated 64,246 counterfeit auto parts, together worth three million dirhams, in the biggest such crackdown of its kind till date. The confiscated goods also included duplicates of major Japanese brands.

The seizure was part of CCCP’s efforts to protect intellectual property and trademarks as well as to enhance Dubai’s reputation as a robust market and commercial hub.

The counterfeit auto parts were seized after a team of specialists from the Protection of Intellectual Property Rights Section in CCCP, acting on a tip-off, raided a warehouse in the Dubai Investments Park. The fake parts included those of reputed brands such as Toyota, Nissan and Mitsubishi.

The CCCP team also confiscated 16,000 posters with forged logos of the duplicated brands intended to mislead customers, and a special device used to print such logos.

Abdulla Al Shehi, Director of Compliance & Consumer Protection at CCCP Sector, said: “The recent seizure of counterfeit auto parts is our largest so far and came after intense follow-up of consumer complaints, field visits, and random inspection by our team. We identify the right means to detect counterfeit products by working with brand owners or their representatives in Dubai”.

Al Shehi noted that the seized parts included 27,700 air and oil filters, 4, 000 bolts, 3, 000 fans belts, in addition to brake systems, valves and front hood. He confirmed that the seized parts were fully destroyed as they pose a major threat to the safety of vehicles and humans. The owners of the confiscated parts were also fined.

“CCCP keeps a tight vigil against commercial fraud of materials, goods and services, and protects trademark owners against counterfeiting through random and organised campaigns. CCCP’s efforts in this regard are part of DED’s focus on enhancing service quality and customer satisfaction through eliminating negative practices. DED also adopts transparent measures in acting against commercial fraud and implementing the relevant laws and regulations,” said Ahmad Al Awadi, Section Head, CCCP.

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