Joint Operation Against Online Sales of Suspected Counterfeit Respirators

The Police have arrested a 34-year-old man for his alleged involvement in online sales of suspected counterfeit respirators during an operation. The operation was led by the Criminal Investigation Department and supported by officers from the Health Sciences Authority (HSA). During the operation, more than 41,000 pieces of suspected trademark-infringing respirators with an estimated street value of more than S$201,000 were seized. Tests are currently being conducted on the seized respirators to ascertain if they are counterfeit.

2        Preliminary investigations revealed that the man was believed to have procured these suspected counterfeit respirators from foreign sources and had offered them for sales online. Under the Health Products Act, it is illegal to sell or supply counterfeit health products. Anyone found guilty of importing or supplying counterfeit health products may be fined up to a maximum of $100,000, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, or both. Investigations against the man are ongoing.

3        The Police take a serious view of intellectual property rights infringements and will not hesitate to take tough action against perpetrators who profit at the expense of legitimate businesses and consumers.

4        Under the Trade Marks Act, anyone found guilty of selling or distributing goods with falsely applied trademarks may be fined up to a maximum of $100,000, or an imprisonment term, which may extend to five years, or both.

5        Consumers are advised to avoid buying health products such as respirators from dubious or unfamiliar sources e.g. unknown online sites. They could be counterfeit, unsafe, of poor quality, or manufactured under unhygienic conditions.

SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
HEALTH SCIENCES AUTHORITY
21 APRIL 2021

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Published: 21 Apr 2021

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