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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
National
Megan Howe

eBay scammers handed suspended prison sentences for selling 'dangerous' fake electric chargers

eBay scammers have been handed suspended prison sentences (eBay/PA) - (PA Media)

Two eBay scammers have been handed suspended prison sentences after their “sophisticated” operation selling “dangerous” fake electric charges was exposed.

Foysal Habib, 44 and Abu Sufian, 50 pleaded guilty in August to selling counterfeit Bio-Oil, electrical items, and clothing on the online marketplace.

Officers from Tower Hamlets Trading Standards confiscated fake Apple batteries, Samsung earphones, adapters and USB cables during an inspection at Sundarbon internet café, in Mile End.

After initially pleading not guilty at a trial, the pair changed their pleas.

Habib was handed a six-month custodial sentence, suspended for two years and Sufian was handed a nine-month custodial sentence suspended for two years.

The judge highlighted how Sufian had a leading role in the operation, which he described as “sophisticated”.

Cllr Shafi Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Emergency, said: “Selling counterfeit goods is not a victimless crime as fake cosmetics and electronics very often do not meet safety regulations, putting people’s health and potentially their lives in danger.

“The London Fire Brigade has especially warned of the dangers that counterfeit electrical chargers and batteries pose as they have recently been linked to serious injuries and fires in the UK.

“I’d like to thank our Trading Standards Team for their work in this case and I hope it sends a strong message to anyone else selling knock-off goods that it won’t be tolerated here in Tower Hamlets.”

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