Three arrested over sale of dangerous counterfeit car airbags

Three people have been arrested as part of an investigation into the sale of counterfeit car airbags, which could have put motorists at risk.  

Officers from the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) at City of London Police executed search warrants at two residential addresses in Leyton and Ilford, east London, during the early hours of 19 September 2024. A third warrant was carried out at a garage in Ilford.

A total of 500 counterfeit airbags and an estimated £140,000 in cash were seized across all three premises. Police dogs found £110,000 of this wrapped in nappies and hidden inside a wall cavity at one of the residential properties. The remaining £30,000 was found in wardrobes at the same property.

Three men, aged 34, 36 and 51 years, were arrested on suspicion of fraud by false representation, conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to distribute counterfeit goods.

The operation took place following a referral from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Officers from PIPCU suspect that the airbags were imported into the UK from China and sold abroad.

PIPCU is calling on anyone who is concerned that they may have inadvertently bought a counterfeit airbag or vehicle part to contact their nearest authorised car dealer so that their vehicle can be checked.

Detective Chief Inspector Emma Warbey, from the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) at City of London Police, said:

“Counterfeit airbags pose a serious threat to customers who purchase them and have them installed in their vehicles. These airbags aren't manufactured to industry standards, so there's a real possibility that they won’t inflate during a road traffic collision, or will deploy in error.

“Counterfeiting a device designed to save lives demonstrates the lengths that criminals will go to make money and their disregard for the safety of the people who will end up using these products. 

“The fake airbags we seized today are sold at prices far below the cost of quality, genuine equipment. We know that the offer of a good deal can be enticing, but it’s always important to buy vehicle parts from a reputable seller.

“This operation sends a clear message that we will work across borders to disrupt illegal activity and hold those involved to account for their actions.”

A written price list found at the garage suggests that the airbags were sold for as little as £25.

PIPCU, which led the operation, was joined by the City of London Police's Dog Section, the Metropolitan Police Service and Homeland Security Investigations during the search warrants. The operation was also supported by representatives from the US National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center, the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State, US Department of Transportation, US Department of Justice, His Majesty's Passport Office (HMPO) and several car manufacturers.

Cardell T. Morant, special agent in charge of US Homeland Security Investigations Charlotte that covers North and South Carolina, said:

“Airbags are critical life-saving devices that are designed and produced to protect motorists. Counterfeit airbags pose a serious threat to the safety of consumers in both the US and the UK.

“HSI actively collaborates with foreign law enforcement partners to disrupt and dismantle transnational criminal organizations that seek to exploit global commerce and threaten legitimate supply chains. We work closely with the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center and automakers to identify counterfeit products and hold those trafficking in such goods accountable.” 

According to a consumer alert published by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), three people in the US were killed and two people suffered injuries from September 2023 to July 2024 as a result of their vehicles being fitted with substandard replacement airbag inflators.

Anyone who has inadvertently bought a counterfeit airbag should report the matter to Action Fraud, the national fraud and cyber crime reporting service, via actionfraud.police.uk or on 0300 123 2040. They can also contact the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) via gov.uk/contact-dvsa.

Information around the sale and supply of counterfeit vehicle parts can be reported to Crimestoppers via crimestoppers-uk.org or on 0800 555 111.

Those arrested have since been released under investigation.