UAE | Crime

Police seize thousands of fake mobile phones

A recent inspection campaign and raids on vendors of mobile phones in the capital resulted in the confiscation of more than 3,000 counterfeited sets as well as accessories, according to the Abu Dhabi Department of Planning and Economy (DPE).

  • By Ahmed A. Elewa, Senior Reporter
  • Published: 23:43 August 20, 2008
  • Gulf News

  • Some of the counterfeit mobile phones and accessories seized in Abu Dhabi.
  • Image Credit: Supplied Picture

Abu Dhabi: A recent inspection campaign and raids on vendors of mobile phones in the capital resulted in the confiscation of more than 3,000 counterfeited sets as well as accessories, according to the Abu Dhabi Department of Planning and Economy (DPE).

The raids by the department's monitoring and inspection department targeted more than 50 outlets, and focused on the validity of commercial licences as well as goods on display.

We do not only want to punish transgressors of the law, but also want to protect consumers and merchants, and increase awareness," said Hamad Salem Al Nuaimi, the department's executive director for commercial affairs.

"Our team of inspectors concluded raids on more than fifty merchants throughout Abu Dhabi, verifying if displayed goods were genuine, as well as the validity of commercial licences," he added.

Counterfeit mobile phones and accessories pose a threat to public safety and health, according to the DPE. "We discovered that most of the implicated merchants lack the awareness that these products can be dangerous ... and we had to educate them," Al Nuaimi said.

The department is already planning the establishment of a consumer protection unit to coordinate with the federal Ministry of Economy's efforts.

The campaign was carried out in two phases and will be followed with others to ensure consumers safety.

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