Nagpur: The Crime Branch has intensified its efforts to dismantle a flourishing counterfeit goods market in the city, driven by the growing demand for luxury brands and limited financial resources of consumers. Recent raids have exposed a racket that not only deceives buyers but also damages the reputation of legitimate global brands.
In December 2024, the Anti-Narcotics Cell of the Crime Branch apprehended nine individuals, including six dealers, for selling counterfeit Apple Inc. accessories in the Dhantoli and Sitabuldi areas. Fake accessories worth ₹2.17 crore were seized, highlighting the scale of counterfeiting in the electronics market.
More recently, on January 16, 2025, Unit 2 of the Crime Branch raided a shop, Shoe Park, in the NIT Complex near Ambazari swimming pool. Two individuals were arrested for selling counterfeit branded products, including shoes, t-shirts, and pants falsely bearing trademarks of renowned global brands such as Nike, Ralph Polo, Jordan, Vans, and Canvas.
Officials revealed that counterfeiters are increasingly using advanced computerized and digital machinery to replicate packaging details like price tags, batch numbers, and manufacturing dates. These techniques make it harder for consumers to differentiate between fake and genuine products.
Large corporations, including Philips India, Hindustan Unilever, and Heinz India, have raised alarms over the growing counterfeit market and filed complaints with the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Delhi Police.