Over the course of two years, the alleged perpetrators are said to have stolen numerous fakes from the warehouses of a logistics company which local customs authorities had used for storage. Using rented vehicles, the fraudsters stole large quantities of counterfeits in broad daylight, just before they were to be destroyed under orders from the customs authorities. Entire pallets of pirated goods were taken and then sold via Facebook, including for example perfumes, football jerseys, cigarettes and alcoholic beverages.
Authorities in the nearby town of Lille first became suspicious of the counterfeiters due to the main suspect’s extravagant lifestyle. The 28-year-old man is said to have made various high-priced trips costing up to 24,000 euros each. According to the authorities, the man was listed as earning only the legal minimum wage, but always paid for the luxury travels in cash.
The fraudsters are said to have made approximately 40,000 euros per month with their illegal operation. Nine suspects have now been arrested by the French authorities and charged with concealment and sale of stolen goods as well as gang robbery.
