A Carshalton man found guilty of selling fake goods must pay back £100,000 or face jail.
Hassan Salimi, was given one of the largest fines seen by Sutton Council’s Trading Standards team at a confiscation hearing at Croydon Crown Court on 5 August, 2014.
Under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 he must pay an £80,000 confiscation order, a £5000 costs order, a £750 fine for each of the 20 offences under the Trade Marks Act totalling £15000 and a £75 victim surcharge.
He had already been found guilty of 20 charges under the Trade Marks Act 1994 for selling counterfeit Benefit Cosmetics, tooth whitening products and “as seen on TV” products in June last year.
The judge said these were serious offences because of the way they impact on each of the many people who don’t get what they bargained for and that there was a need to enforce decent standards in trading.
Mr Salimi has six months to pay the fine. If not, he will have to serve an 18 month prison sentence.
A forfeiture order was also made to ensure that all the counterfeit products seized by the council’s Trading Standards Service can now be destroyed.
His activities were first brought to the attention of Sutton Trading Standards service in 2012 by the Post Office Investigations team. They were investigating claims that Mr Salimi was sending out multiple packages using a pre-paid business reference stamp belonging to Ann Summers.
Mr Salimi later accepted a caution under the Fraud Act 2006 for this matter.
The Home Office will receive half of the proceeds recovered, HM Revenue and Customs 12.5%, Sutton Council 25% and Surrey Accredited Financial Advisor 12.5%.
A Sutton Council spokesperson said:
“This case sends out the clear message that we will use everything in our powers to ensure crime does not pay, including the courts for asset recovery. Residents need to know that they will be protected from rogue traders who flout the law by selling sub-standard goods.
“It is also unfair on legitimate business owners who comply with the law, provide excellent service and respect their customers.”
“This has been an excellent example of joined-up working. We would like to thank Paul Diaper, Surrey County Council’s Accredited Financial Investigator, for his work that brought about a successful conclusion to this matter.”