Massive Haul of 32,000 Fake CDs Seized in Police Raids
On Tuesday, June 21, 2022, police swooped on three locations in a major crackdown on counterfeit music. Warrants were carried out at commercial spots on Indigo Road and Eastham Village Road, plus a home on Sutherland Drive.
Officers from the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU), backed by the North West Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (NWPIPCU), confiscated a jaw-dropping 32,254 fake CDs being flogged on Amazon. The rip-offs were flagged by Amazon’s global Counterfeit Crimes Unit and the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), who alerted the cops.
Experts Warn Fake CDs Fund Criminal Gangs
PIPCU Investigator Andy Cope said counterfeit CDs hit legitimate businesses and deal a heavy blow to artists and the wider music scene.
“It is also critical for the public to remember that counterfeit goods sales can fund other types of criminal activity, such as modern-day slavery and drug dealing.”
“This operation sends a clear message: selling fakes won’t be tolerated.”
He praised the teamwork between Amazon, the BPI, and police in snuffing out the fraud.
Amazon and Music Industry Strike Back
Kebharu Smith, Director of Amazon’s Counterfeit Crimes Unit, said:
“We’ll keep investing and innovating to stay ahead of counterfeiters so customers can shop with confidence.”
“We’re committed to working with law enforcement and trade bodies to hold fraudsters accountable. Our goal isn’t just to chase them off Amazon – it’s to stop them for good.”
Paola Monaldi, Head of Content Protection at the BPI, added:
“We applaud PIPCU’s raids. Genuine CDs and vinyl remain popular with music fans and are vital for artists making a living.”
“Physical music sales account for over 20% of UK industry revenue. But counterfeit money lines criminals’ pockets, not creators’.”
“The BPI will keep fighting to protect fans from fakes, working with police and retailers alike.”
Fake CDs Hit Business, Consumers, and the Environment
Matthew Cope, Deputy Director of IP Enforcement at the Intellectual Property Office, warned:
“Counterfeit goods cause serious social and environmental damage. They’re often shoddy, wreck consumer trust, and fund crime.”
“The IPO supports police action against these fake sales to safeguard communities and legitimate trade.”
During the raids, one man was arrested but later released under investigation. The crackdown sends a warning to all counterfeiters: the authorities mean business.
