The National Police has arrested six members of the same family as alleged perpetrators of a crime against industrial and intellectual property with which they have obtained a loot of 250,000 euros since 2017 by selling fake luxury accessories to VIP clients. Those arrested distributed handbags, leather goods, hats, belts and jewelry from exclusive brands such as Loewe, Gucci and Chanel, according to the Madrid Police Headquarters.
In the operation, the agents carried out inspections in four establishments located on Melchor Fernández Almagro street in the Fuencarral district, where more than 800 items valued at more than 20,000 euros were seized. In addition, they had a warehouse where they kept the articles that was located on Luis Portones street in the Tetuán district.
The six detainees are Spanish born in Morocco with ages between 28 and 44 years. These are three marriages that are suspected of importing the products from North Africa.
The investigation was initiated as a result of the complaint filed by the legal representative of at least three well-known luxury handbag brands. This expert discovered that a social network profile was offering leather goods that violated industrial property rights.
private events
Specifically, the distribution of the products was carried out through private sales events for VIPs and millionaires held periodically in the establishment located in the Fuencarral neighborhood.
The agents verified that those arrested were part of a family clan that had several bank accounts for the payment of card payments, having received more than 250,000 euros in a period of two years.
The profile that the detainees had on a well-known social network announced the holding of a private sale in which they offered high-end products, in which they referred to the highest quality reproductions whose price per item ranged between 150 and 200 euros.
These products were made with high quality leather and had detailed finishes that even reproduced the certificates of authenticity to avoid being discovered and reported by customers.
The expert analysis carried out by the Provincial Scientific Police Brigade of Madrid made it possible to determine the falsity of the articles. After the entry and search of four establishments, it was found that some of the premises were used as a warehouse for counterfeit products for subsequent distribution to the business where the events were held.
The operation ended with the arrest of six individuals who were placed at the disposal of the judicial authority.
Only one of the six arrested has a police record. He had been arrested for a robbery with violence and intimidation. Those arrested face sentences of up to two years in prison and 24-month fines.
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