Detected approximately 36,500 products and consumer goods advertisements in the social networks
The Ministry of commerce and investment inspection teams continue their work on combating counterfeiting and commercial fraud in websites and social networks by suspending many accounts as part of an efficient mechanism to safeguard trademark system from violations. The suspended accounts posted approximately 36,500 advertisements for counterfeit products with registered trademarks, which is a clear violation of MCI trademark system. Using sites and social media accounts in marketing and promoting counterfeit products is a violation with heavy penalties.
By closing these accounts, the ministry is protecting the consumers from being victims of fraud and deception or obtaining counterfeit or adulterated products. The ministry calls on the consumers to avoid dealing with unlicensed sites that promote counterfeit goods, in order to preserve consumer rights. The majority of those accounts are unauthorized and unlicensed, without trade names, known addresses and the mean of communication is "WhatsApp" application on smartphones. Also, the method of delivery is by anonymous drivers and not by licensed shipping and delivering companies.
The Ministry of commerce and Investment will pursue the distributors of counterfeit and adulterated goods and prevent marketing them through social networks and websites. MCI ensures that there will be no tolerance in implementing the statutory procedures on violators and those involved in the practice of fraud and counterfeiting, and all that which jeopardizes the health and safety of consumers.