OSAKA (TR) – Osaka Prefectural Police have arrested three Chinese nationals on suspicion of possessing a massive haul of counterfeit luxury goods intended for sale online, reports Kansai TV (Oct. 15).
Arrested on suspicion of violating the Trademark Act was 40-year-old Tokyo resident Ling Yi, alongside another man and a woman. In July, the trio allegedly possessed approximately 200 knockoff items, primarily fake Louis Vuitton bags, with the intent to sell them.
According to investigators, the illicit operation involved receiving shipments of phony brand-name goods directly from China. The suspects would then peddle the merchandise on online flea market apps, packaging and shipping the counterfeits to buyers across the country.
During police questioning, Ling fully admitted to the allegations. However, the other two suspects are denying the charges, attempting to claim ignorance by telling police they “did not clearly know” the bags were fakes.