Store manager of a counterfeit shop in Cheetham Hill sentenced

The store manager of a shop in Cheetham Hill Manchester, who imported counterfeit goods and distributed them internationally, has been sentenced.

On Monday 10 May 2021, Husamaclin Karimi,  28, of Birkdale Street, Manchester, was sentenced at Tameside Magistrates' Court to four months imprisonment, suspended for two years; four month curfew from 19:00 to 07:00; and to the forfeiture and destruction order in respect of all counterfeit items seized.

Officers from the City of London Police’s Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) seized £96,959 worth of counterfeit goods from Karimi’s shop during a warrant on 16 October 2019.

Fifty three different brands, including Louis Vuitton and Gucci, were found in the three story shop, including thousands of branded labels imported separately to be sown onto counterfeit clothing, handbags and shoes.  

Detective Constable, Daryl Fryatt, who led the investigation said:

“Selling counterfeit goods is illegal. This sentencing will have caused serious impact to the Cheetham Hill area that is known for selling and importing counterfeit goods. This has hopefully sent a strong message to other criminals involved in counterfeit goods that it won’t be tolerated and you will be brought to justice.

“For the public it is vital to remember you don’t know what other crimes you are funding when buying counterfeit goods, or the conditions those working for the criminals are working in.”

When executing the warrant of the property, officers were invited in by Karimi, who took them to into the rear rooms of the premises through a locked door. Karimi started telling officers that they could purchase items from between £20-£50, before realising that the officers were not customers.

Karimi was arrested and during interview admitted to being the store manager and selling counterfeit goods, which he knew was illegal. Karimi’s phones were also seized and examined with hundreds of images of counterfeit goods located.