Trio arrested for selling $10m in knock-offs online
A purple Lamborghini was among an expensive trove seized by police from three men who built a $10 million empire selling fake merchandise on social media.
The counterfeit luxury goods sold included everything from Rolex watches to Cartier bracelets and Louis Vuitton bags.
Police raided the homes of the accused on Wednesday seizing nine cars including several Lamborghinis and a Mercedes AMG worth a combined value of about $3 million.
They also confiscated more than 500 counterfeit luxury items such as handbags and watches, more than $250,000 in cash, and a gel blaster firearm.
The group moved about $9.75 million in profit through various bank accounts, investigators claimed.
Three men were arrested – a 30-year-old in Fairfield East, a 33-year-old in Merrylands and a 30-year-old in Guildford - after search warrants were executed under Strike Force Alcova.
They were taken into custody and charged with various offences including recklessly dealing in the proceeds of crime and participating in a criminal group.
All three men were refused bail to appear in court on Thursday.
Organised Crime Squad Detective Superintendent Peter Faux, said these arrests send a clear message to organised crime syndicates.
"Behind the filters and followers was a sophisticated criminal enterprise exploiting digital platforms to sell counterfeit luxury goods," he said.
"This kind of organised crime will not go unchecked."
The assets are under the control of the NSW Crime Commission, said Executive Director Bennett.
"We've commenced proceedings to recover millions of dollars, with the aim of returning that money to the people of New South Wales," he said.
"It's a strong result for law enforcement and a good day for NSW taxpayers."
A purple Lamborghini was among an expensive trove seized by police from three men who built a $10 million empire selling fake merchandise on social media.
The counterfeit luxury goods sold included everything from Rolex watches to Cartier bracelets and Louis Vuitton bags.
Police raided the homes of the accused on Wednesday seizing nine cars including several Lamborghinis and a Mercedes AMG worth a combined value of about $3 million.
They also confiscated more than 500 counterfeit luxury items such as handbags and watches, more than $250,000 in cash, and a gel blaster firearm.
The group moved about $9.75 million in profit through various bank accounts, investigators claimed.
Three men were arrested – a 30-year-old in Fairfield East, a 33-year-old in Merrylands and a 30-year-old in Guildford - after search warrants were executed under Strike Force Alcova.
They were taken into custody and charged with various offences including recklessly dealing in the proceeds of crime and participating in a criminal group.
All three men were refused bail to appear in court on Thursday.
Organised Crime Squad Detective Superintendent Peter Faux, said these arrests send a clear message to organised crime syndicates.
"Behind the filters and followers was a sophisticated criminal enterprise exploiting digital platforms to sell counterfeit luxury goods," he said.
"This kind of organised crime will not go unchecked."
The assets are under the control of the NSW Crime Commission, said Executive Director Bennett.
"We've commenced proceedings to recover millions of dollars, with the aim of returning that money to the people of New South Wales," he said.
"It's a strong result for law enforcement and a good day for NSW taxpayers."
A purple Lamborghini was among an expensive trove seized by police from three men who built a $10 million empire selling fake merchandise on social media.
The counterfeit luxury goods sold included everything from Rolex watches to Cartier bracelets and Louis Vuitton bags.
Police raided the homes of the accused on Wednesday seizing nine cars including several Lamborghinis and a Mercedes AMG worth a combined value of about $3 million.
They also confiscated more than 500 counterfeit luxury items such as handbags and watches, more than $250,000 in cash, and a gel blaster firearm.
The group moved about $9.75 million in profit through various bank accounts, investigators claimed.
Three men were arrested – a 30-year-old in Fairfield East, a 33-year-old in Merrylands and a 30-year-old in Guildford - after search warrants were executed under Strike Force Alcova.
They were taken into custody and charged with various offences including recklessly dealing in the proceeds of crime and participating in a criminal group.
All three men were refused bail to appear in court on Thursday.
Organised Crime Squad Detective Superintendent Peter Faux, said these arrests send a clear message to organised crime syndicates.
"Behind the filters and followers was a sophisticated criminal enterprise exploiting digital platforms to sell counterfeit luxury goods," he said.
"This kind of organised crime will not go unchecked."
The assets are under the control of the NSW Crime Commission, said Executive Director Bennett.
"We've commenced proceedings to recover millions of dollars, with the aim of returning that money to the people of New South Wales," he said.
"It's a strong result for law enforcement and a good day for NSW taxpayers."
A purple Lamborghini was among an expensive trove seized by police from three men who built a $10 million empire selling fake merchandise on social media.
The counterfeit luxury goods sold included everything from Rolex watches to Cartier bracelets and Louis Vuitton bags.
Police raided the homes of the accused on Wednesday seizing nine cars including several Lamborghinis and a Mercedes AMG worth a combined value of about $3 million.
They also confiscated more than 500 counterfeit luxury items such as handbags and watches, more than $250,000 in cash, and a gel blaster firearm.
The group moved about $9.75 million in profit through various bank accounts, investigators claimed.
Three men were arrested – a 30-year-old in Fairfield East, a 33-year-old in Merrylands and a 30-year-old in Guildford - after search warrants were executed under Strike Force Alcova.
They were taken into custody and charged with various offences including recklessly dealing in the proceeds of crime and participating in a criminal group.
All three men were refused bail to appear in court on Thursday.
Organised Crime Squad Detective Superintendent Peter Faux, said these arrests send a clear message to organised crime syndicates.
"Behind the filters and followers was a sophisticated criminal enterprise exploiting digital platforms to sell counterfeit luxury goods," he said.
"This kind of organised crime will not go unchecked."
The assets are under the control of the NSW Crime Commission, said Executive Director Bennett.
"We've commenced proceedings to recover millions of dollars, with the aim of returning that money to the people of New South Wales," he said.
"It's a strong result for law enforcement and a good day for NSW taxpayers."
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The Australian
12 hours ago
- The Australian
Sydney police bust fake luxury goods ring, seize cars, cash, firearms
Police have busted a $10m counterfeit luxury goods ring, seizing nine luxury cars, hundreds of fake designer items, cash, and a firearm in sweeping raids across western Sydney. Organised Crime Squad detectives arrested three men in the early-morning raids sparked by an extensive investigation into an organised criminal syndicate allegedly involved in selling fake luxury goods. Fake watches were seized. Picture: NewsWire Handout Officers allege the group used social media sites to sell fake high-end clothing, shoes, handbags and watches, moving an estimated $9.75m in profits through various bank accounts. Strike Force Alcova detectives swooped on properties in Fairfield East, Merrylands and Guildford, on Wednesday, locating nine cars including Lamborghinis worth about $3m, more than 500 counterfeit luxury items, $270,000 in cash, and a gel blaster firearm. Organised Crime Squad commander Detective Superintendent Peter Faux compared the raided properties to a store. 'We seized an extremely large amount of fraudulent items, counterfeit items across the three premises,' he said. 'It was quite interesting. These three premises look like you're inside a department store.' A gel blaster firearm was discovered. Picture: NewsWire Handout $270,000 in cash was also seized. Picture: NewsWire Handout Three men - two aged 30 and one 33 - were arrested and taken to Granville Police Station. They were charged with multiple offences including concealing proceeds of a crime and participating in a criminal group. All three were refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court on Thursday. Three men were arrested. Picture: NewsWire Handout Police said the arrests sent a clear message to organised crime groups profiting off online deception. 'We will allege these individuals built a multimillion-dollar empire by deceiving consumers and undermining legitimate businesses,' Superintendent Faux said. 'Behind the filters and followers was a sophisticated criminal enterprise exploiting digital platforms to sell counterfeit luxury goods. 'This kind of organised crime will not go unchecked. The NSW Police Force, working closely with the NSW Crime Commission, has not only arrested those responsible but are actively targeting the profits they've made illegally.' NSW Crime Commission executive director Darren Bennett added the operation had uncovered a significant stockpile of assets. 'The evidence suggests this criminal group stockpiled significant wealth – vehicles, cash, and luxury goods – through the sale of counterfeit items. These assets are now under the control of the NSW Crime Commission,' he said. 'We've commenced proceedings to recover millions of dollars, with the aim of returning that money to the people of NSW. This is a clear example of how financial investigations can strike at the heart of organised crime.' Police are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers. Amelia Swan Journalist Amelia Swan joined News Corp as a cadet reporter in 2024. Amelia Swan
The Advertiser
12 hours ago
- The Advertiser
What's the crime, say accused $10m fake merch dealers
A trio of men accused of running a $10 million fake luxury goods empire at the same time as some received Centrelink benefits have questioned why they're being thrown in jail. Police raided the Sydney homes of brothers Ahmad Kase Siddiqi, 30, and Ahmad Jawade Siddiqi, 33, as well as Shadi Skaf, 30, on Wednesday, over the sale of everything from counterfeit Rolex watches to Cartier bracelets and Louis Vuitton bags. Officers seized nine cars including several Lamborghinis and a Mercedes AMG worth a combined value of about $3 million in the busts. The trio appeared at Parramatta Local Court on Thursday, when they applied for bail. While each man had been hit with a number of charges, including dealing with the proceeds of crime, police had been unable to say what crime was actually committed, their lawyer said. "The question is what is the relevant offence," said barrister Philip Strickland SC, representing Skaf and Kase Siddiqi. The mere import and selling of goods was not a crime, while a jail term was unlikely if anyone was only found guilty of breaching trademark laws, he said. Jawade Siddiqi's barrister Steven Boland argued the case was unlike other alleged offenders charged with earning money from activities such as drug trafficking. There was "nothing surreptitious" about what the 33-year-old had done and there had been no concealment of any business activity, he said. Outside court, Jawade Siddiqi's solicitor Chaddy Mardini declined to comment on the matter apart from saying it was "not a garden-variety" case. Police prosecutors pressed for the trio to remain behind bars, pointing to a strong case that involved large amounts of funds being transferred into the personal bank accounts of the three men. There was a risk the men would not appear in court and could flee the country as they had access to sizeable sums of money, magistrate Emma Manea was told. While police said the scheme netted about $9.75 million in profits, the figure came from bank records stretching back to 2017. Court documents said the alleged offences only took place from 2022. Ms Manea will hand down her bail decision on Friday. Organised Crime Squad commander Peter Faux revealed earlier on Thursday that a delivery van "full of fake goods" pulled up as police were executing a search warrant in the case. Officers confiscated a cache of more than 500 counterfeit luxury items, such as handbags, sneakers and watches all imported from China, across three sites. More than $250,000 in cash and a gel blaster firearm were also seized. "These three premises looked like a department store when you went inside of them, with all the goods that were set up," Detective Superintendent Faux said. "It was a very professional outfit." Fake watches of "extremely good quality" that resembled genuine articles worth more than $20,000 were sold to customers for $800 apiece, police said. Police allege more than one of the trio was receiving Centrelink payments while benefiting from the proceeds of their crimes. "They're living an extremely luxurious lifestyle, they're flaunting that lifestyle, they're driving up and down their streets in cars worth in excess of a million (dollars)," Det Supt Faux said. The allegedly tainted assets were now under the control of the NSW Crime Commission, its executive director said. A trio of men accused of running a $10 million fake luxury goods empire at the same time as some received Centrelink benefits have questioned why they're being thrown in jail. Police raided the Sydney homes of brothers Ahmad Kase Siddiqi, 30, and Ahmad Jawade Siddiqi, 33, as well as Shadi Skaf, 30, on Wednesday, over the sale of everything from counterfeit Rolex watches to Cartier bracelets and Louis Vuitton bags. Officers seized nine cars including several Lamborghinis and a Mercedes AMG worth a combined value of about $3 million in the busts. The trio appeared at Parramatta Local Court on Thursday, when they applied for bail. While each man had been hit with a number of charges, including dealing with the proceeds of crime, police had been unable to say what crime was actually committed, their lawyer said. "The question is what is the relevant offence," said barrister Philip Strickland SC, representing Skaf and Kase Siddiqi. The mere import and selling of goods was not a crime, while a jail term was unlikely if anyone was only found guilty of breaching trademark laws, he said. Jawade Siddiqi's barrister Steven Boland argued the case was unlike other alleged offenders charged with earning money from activities such as drug trafficking. There was "nothing surreptitious" about what the 33-year-old had done and there had been no concealment of any business activity, he said. Outside court, Jawade Siddiqi's solicitor Chaddy Mardini declined to comment on the matter apart from saying it was "not a garden-variety" case. Police prosecutors pressed for the trio to remain behind bars, pointing to a strong case that involved large amounts of funds being transferred into the personal bank accounts of the three men. There was a risk the men would not appear in court and could flee the country as they had access to sizeable sums of money, magistrate Emma Manea was told. While police said the scheme netted about $9.75 million in profits, the figure came from bank records stretching back to 2017. Court documents said the alleged offences only took place from 2022. Ms Manea will hand down her bail decision on Friday. Organised Crime Squad commander Peter Faux revealed earlier on Thursday that a delivery van "full of fake goods" pulled up as police were executing a search warrant in the case. Officers confiscated a cache of more than 500 counterfeit luxury items, such as handbags, sneakers and watches all imported from China, across three sites. More than $250,000 in cash and a gel blaster firearm were also seized. "These three premises looked like a department store when you went inside of them, with all the goods that were set up," Detective Superintendent Faux said. "It was a very professional outfit." Fake watches of "extremely good quality" that resembled genuine articles worth more than $20,000 were sold to customers for $800 apiece, police said. Police allege more than one of the trio was receiving Centrelink payments while benefiting from the proceeds of their crimes. "They're living an extremely luxurious lifestyle, they're flaunting that lifestyle, they're driving up and down their streets in cars worth in excess of a million (dollars)," Det Supt Faux said. The allegedly tainted assets were now under the control of the NSW Crime Commission, its executive director said. A trio of men accused of running a $10 million fake luxury goods empire at the same time as some received Centrelink benefits have questioned why they're being thrown in jail. Police raided the Sydney homes of brothers Ahmad Kase Siddiqi, 30, and Ahmad Jawade Siddiqi, 33, as well as Shadi Skaf, 30, on Wednesday, over the sale of everything from counterfeit Rolex watches to Cartier bracelets and Louis Vuitton bags. Officers seized nine cars including several Lamborghinis and a Mercedes AMG worth a combined value of about $3 million in the busts. The trio appeared at Parramatta Local Court on Thursday, when they applied for bail. While each man had been hit with a number of charges, including dealing with the proceeds of crime, police had been unable to say what crime was actually committed, their lawyer said. "The question is what is the relevant offence," said barrister Philip Strickland SC, representing Skaf and Kase Siddiqi. The mere import and selling of goods was not a crime, while a jail term was unlikely if anyone was only found guilty of breaching trademark laws, he said. Jawade Siddiqi's barrister Steven Boland argued the case was unlike other alleged offenders charged with earning money from activities such as drug trafficking. There was "nothing surreptitious" about what the 33-year-old had done and there had been no concealment of any business activity, he said. Outside court, Jawade Siddiqi's solicitor Chaddy Mardini declined to comment on the matter apart from saying it was "not a garden-variety" case. Police prosecutors pressed for the trio to remain behind bars, pointing to a strong case that involved large amounts of funds being transferred into the personal bank accounts of the three men. There was a risk the men would not appear in court and could flee the country as they had access to sizeable sums of money, magistrate Emma Manea was told. While police said the scheme netted about $9.75 million in profits, the figure came from bank records stretching back to 2017. Court documents said the alleged offences only took place from 2022. Ms Manea will hand down her bail decision on Friday. Organised Crime Squad commander Peter Faux revealed earlier on Thursday that a delivery van "full of fake goods" pulled up as police were executing a search warrant in the case. Officers confiscated a cache of more than 500 counterfeit luxury items, such as handbags, sneakers and watches all imported from China, across three sites. More than $250,000 in cash and a gel blaster firearm were also seized. "These three premises looked like a department store when you went inside of them, with all the goods that were set up," Detective Superintendent Faux said. "It was a very professional outfit." Fake watches of "extremely good quality" that resembled genuine articles worth more than $20,000 were sold to customers for $800 apiece, police said. Police allege more than one of the trio was receiving Centrelink payments while benefiting from the proceeds of their crimes. "They're living an extremely luxurious lifestyle, they're flaunting that lifestyle, they're driving up and down their streets in cars worth in excess of a million (dollars)," Det Supt Faux said. The allegedly tainted assets were now under the control of the NSW Crime Commission, its executive director said. A trio of men accused of running a $10 million fake luxury goods empire at the same time as some received Centrelink benefits have questioned why they're being thrown in jail. Police raided the Sydney homes of brothers Ahmad Kase Siddiqi, 30, and Ahmad Jawade Siddiqi, 33, as well as Shadi Skaf, 30, on Wednesday, over the sale of everything from counterfeit Rolex watches to Cartier bracelets and Louis Vuitton bags. Officers seized nine cars including several Lamborghinis and a Mercedes AMG worth a combined value of about $3 million in the busts. The trio appeared at Parramatta Local Court on Thursday, when they applied for bail. While each man had been hit with a number of charges, including dealing with the proceeds of crime, police had been unable to say what crime was actually committed, their lawyer said. "The question is what is the relevant offence," said barrister Philip Strickland SC, representing Skaf and Kase Siddiqi. The mere import and selling of goods was not a crime, while a jail term was unlikely if anyone was only found guilty of breaching trademark laws, he said. Jawade Siddiqi's barrister Steven Boland argued the case was unlike other alleged offenders charged with earning money from activities such as drug trafficking. There was "nothing surreptitious" about what the 33-year-old had done and there had been no concealment of any business activity, he said. Outside court, Jawade Siddiqi's solicitor Chaddy Mardini declined to comment on the matter apart from saying it was "not a garden-variety" case. Police prosecutors pressed for the trio to remain behind bars, pointing to a strong case that involved large amounts of funds being transferred into the personal bank accounts of the three men. There was a risk the men would not appear in court and could flee the country as they had access to sizeable sums of money, magistrate Emma Manea was told. While police said the scheme netted about $9.75 million in profits, the figure came from bank records stretching back to 2017. Court documents said the alleged offences only took place from 2022. Ms Manea will hand down her bail decision on Friday. Organised Crime Squad commander Peter Faux revealed earlier on Thursday that a delivery van "full of fake goods" pulled up as police were executing a search warrant in the case. Officers confiscated a cache of more than 500 counterfeit luxury items, such as handbags, sneakers and watches all imported from China, across three sites. More than $250,000 in cash and a gel blaster firearm were also seized. "These three premises looked like a department store when you went inside of them, with all the goods that were set up," Detective Superintendent Faux said. "It was a very professional outfit." Fake watches of "extremely good quality" that resembled genuine articles worth more than $20,000 were sold to customers for $800 apiece, police said. Police allege more than one of the trio was receiving Centrelink payments while benefiting from the proceeds of their crimes. "They're living an extremely luxurious lifestyle, they're flaunting that lifestyle, they're driving up and down their streets in cars worth in excess of a million (dollars)," Det Supt Faux said. The allegedly tainted assets were now under the control of the NSW Crime Commission, its executive director said.
News.com.au
17 hours ago
- News.com.au
Lamborghinis, fake watches and $10m in cash: Social media scam busted in police sting
Police have busted a $10m counterfeit luxury goods ring, seizing nine luxury cars, hundreds of fake designer items, cash, and a firearm in sweeping raids across western Sydney. Organised Crime Squad detectives arrested three men in the early-morning raids sparked by an extensive investigation into an organised criminal syndicate allegedly involved in selling fake luxury goods. Officers allege the group used social media sites to sell fake high-end clothing, shoes, handbags and watches, moving an estimated $9.75m in profits through various bank accounts. Strike Force Alcova detectives swooped on properties in Fairfield East, Merrylands and Guildford, on Wednesday, locating nine cars including Lamborghinis worth about $3m, more than 500 counterfeit luxury items, $270,000 in cash, and a gel blaster firearm. A 30-year old in Fairfield East, a 33-year old in Merrylands and a 30-year-old in Guildford were arrested and taken to Granville Police Station. The 30-year old Fairfield East man was charged with multiple offences including concealing proceeds of crime, and participating in a criminal group. The 33-year-old man from Merrylands was charged with similar offences and the 30-year old from Guildford was also charged with failing to comply with a digital evidence access order direction. All three were refused bail and will appear in Parramatta Local Court later on Thursday. Organised Crime Squad commander Detective Superintendent Peter Faux said the arrests sent a clear message to organised crime groups. 'We will allege these individuals built a multimillion-dollar empire by deceiving consumers and undermining legitimate businesses,' he said. 'Behind the filters and followers was a sophisticated criminal enterprise exploiting digital platforms to sell counterfeit luxury goods. 'This kind of organised crime will not go unchecked. The NSW Police Force, working closely with the NSW Crime Commission, has not only arrested those responsible but are actively targeting the profits they've made illegally.' NSW Crime Commission executive director Darren Bennett added the operation had uncovered a significant stockpile of assets. 'The evidence suggests this criminal group stockpiled significant wealth – vehicles, cash, and luxury goods – through the sale of counterfeit items. These assets are now under the control of the NSW Crime Commission,' he said. 'We've commenced proceedings to recover millions of dollars, with the aim of returning that money to the people of NSW. This is a clear example of how financial investigations can strike at the heart of organised crime.'
