A Harrow Amazon business has been given a red card after it was caught flogging thousands of fake Premier League merchandise.
Owner Kiran Ruda, 38, of Bromefield, Stanmore , was caught with more than 30,000 dodgy goods branded in top football teams, including Arsenal , Liverpool and Manchester United, all illegally imported from China.
He was given an 18-month suspended sentence and his counterfeit business was fined £5,000 after he admitted nine counts of handling goods bearing counterfeit trade marks at Harrow Crown Court.
Not-so-nice properties in Harrow
Trading on online retail giant Amazon as "Make it Magical Crafts and Gifts", Ruda was also found to sell knock-offs of other global mega-brands, including Marvel, Hello Kitty and Angry Birds.
More than 30,000 rip-off bags, watches, hats, wallets and scarves worth around £125,000 were found during a huge Trading Standards haul.
Councillor Graham Henson, Harrow Council 's cabinet member for environment, said: “We blew the final whistle on Ruda’s operation in handling dodgy knock offs and selling them at the same retail price of genuine items.
"Not only could this have put consumers at risk but is completely unfair on other businesses operating properly.
"His actions were motivated by greed and, as well as being illegal, were hugely irresponsible.
"We aren’t afraid to do the same with anyone else who thinks it’s OK to handle fake goods in our borough."
Brent and Harrow Trading Standards officers were first tipped off about the counterfeit operation by a representative of the Football Association.
An online test purchase of a sew-on patch, purporting to be an official Premier League product, confirmed Ruda was selling fake goods.
After a search of Ruda’s Stanmore home and his business warehouse, more than 30,000 counterfeit items with an estimated value of £125,000 were seized by officers.
Ruda pleaded guilty and was sentenced on August 9.
As well as a £5,000 fine against Ruda Enterprise Limited, Ruda was given a suspended prison sentence and ordered to do 250 hours of community service.
The case will now continue in court for confiscation proceedings, where financial investigators will seek to confiscate the illegal profits made from this enterprise.
Councillor Tom Miller, Brent Council cabinet member for stronger communities, said: "This is another great result for Brent and Harrow Trading Standards and should serve as a warning to those selling fake goods in our area.
"Crimes like these are not restricted to a single area. That’s why we continue to work closely with our neighbouring boroughs and local police to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
"I hope this case encourages others considering selling fake goods to think twice about their actions, whether that’s on the streets, in shops or online.
"We want Brent to be a place where genuine and legitimate businesses thrive, and illegal traders that ignore the rules and blatantly disregard the advice given to them, will be taken through the courts."
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