Facebook fake goods seller prosecuted
A SCARBOROUGH woman who used the social networking site Facebook to sell counterfeit goods ranging from Chanel perfumes to Tiffany jewellery has been successfully prosecuted.
Sarah Cordukes, 26, from Esplanade Road, Scarborough, was sentenced to 150 hours of unpaid work after pleading guilty to 18 offences under the Trade Marks Act involving a wide range of fake goods which she offered for sale on Facebook.
Scarborough magistrates heard how, when trading standards officers searched Cordukes’ flat and her parents’ home, they found more than 200 counterfeit items, including clothing, jewellery, footwear, purses and handbags bearing a range of leading brand names.
The case was the first successful prosecution by North Yorkshire Trading Standards involving goods offered for sale on Facebook. A financial investigation is now under way under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
“This case demonstrates clearly that North Yorkshire Trading Standards are determined to crack down on anyone offering counterfiet goods of any kind,” said North Yorkshire county councillor Chris Metcalfe, executive member for trading standards.
“We will not tolerate crimes of this kind, which not only defraud members of the public but also damage the interests of the vast majority of legitimate retailers who deal in genuine branded goods.
“We will continue to monitor social networking sites such as Facebook on a regular basis, and will not hesitate to take action against anyone we find contravening the law in this manner.”
Anyone with information on the sale of counterfeit goods should contact Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.
