KUANTAN: With the 2018 FIFA World Cup around the corner, the State Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry has intensified its efforts to curb the sales of imitation jerseys and other tournament memorabilia.
As traders cash in on the popularity of the tournament, which kicks off in Russia on Thursday, enforcement officers have been deployed to monitor the sale of the counterfeit merchandise, especially at night markets.
State Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry enforcement chief Alwi Abdul Hamid said the department had experienced similar situations in the past, where some traders sold counterfeit jerseys during major sporting events.
“Since the other football leagues are taking a break, the focus will be on the World Cup. Besides acting on tip-offs, the enforcement team will conduct checks at night markets and selected premises.
“To date, no seizures have been made, but we will continue monitoring the situation and public with information can alert us on the selling of fake jerseys,” he said when met.
An enforcement officer, who declined to be named, said some of the traders have resorted to online sales and some carried out businesses from their car boots to avoid from being detected by the authorities.
“They post pictures of the jerseys and their prices online, along with the delivery charges. Customers would place orders to buy their favourite team’s jersey and pay before the jerseys arrive at their doorsteps. Selling the fake materials in the open will easily land them in trouble.
“Some traders ordered their stock from neighbouring countries as the design of the imitation jersey from the country is similar to the original product which usually cost more than RM130. Some traders try to make some extra cash by offering mugs, scarves and even towels with football team emblems on them,” he said, adding there will be a huge demand for the cheap jersey and souvenirs as the football event is only held every four years.
He said based on previous experience, traders would step up their activities to clear their stock before the tournament because the price of the jerseys would drop after the tournament’s kick off.
It was learnt that besides counterfeit jerseys manufactured in China, traders also brought in jerseys from neighbouring countries before selling them for between RM25 and RM50.
Those found selling counterfeit football jerseys will be investigated under Section 8 of the Trade Description Act 2011.
Offenders face a maximum fine of RM10,000 for each product and three years jail, if convicted.
