Prolific Trader in Fake Goods Convicted at Manchester Magistrates Court

Kausar Fisa ALI of Armadale Road, Bolton, appeared at Manchester Magistrates Court today, charged with 8 (eight) offences of selling counterfeit goods and possessing counterfeit goods for sale contrary to Section 92 of The Trademarks Act 1994. She had previously pleaded guilty. She was sentenced today to a 12 Month Community Order with a requirement to undertake 200 hours of Unpaid Work, 10 days Rehabilitation Activity Requirement concurrent on each count and was fined ￡300.00. She was also required to pay and ￡85.00 victim surcharge. The court ordered that all the fake goods seized by TM Eye be confiscated and destroyed.

The case was brought by TM Eye as a private criminal prosecution on behalf of its clients Mulberry and other well known luxury goods brands.

ALI operated a number of large stalls at Wellesbourne Market in Warwickshire, Bescot Market in the West Midlands and at Bovingdon Market in Hertfordshire, from which she sold large quantities of fake clothing and leather goods that if genuine would have amounted to hundreds of thousands of pounds.

The TM Eye Luxury Good’s Team commenced a covert investigation at Wellesbourne Market on Saturday 11thMay 2019, when the first test purchase was conducted. Further test purchases were made on 18th May 2019 and subsequently on the 6th July 2019. On the 26th October 2019, Kauser ALI was again observed at Wellesbourne Market, on this occasion a test purchase was conducted of a counterfeit ‘Moschino’ rucksack. 

On Sunday 24th November 2019, TM Eye Investigators attended Bescot Market in the West Midlands. Kauser Ali was observed operating a stall within the market in possession of, and selling a large quantity of counterfeit handbags and purses. A test purchase was conducted from her on this date.

Earlier on the 1st June 2019, TM Eye detectives from the Dedicated Undercover Unit had attended Bovingdon Market in Hertfordshire and carried out the first test purchase there. Two further test purchases followed over several weeks. ALI had not been identified at this stage. Further enquiries revealed her involvement at Wellesbourne market. The two investigations were combined.

On 24th November 2019, ALI was evidenced at Bescot Market and a further test purchase of a Moschino bag was carried out.

All the test purchases were covertly filmed. Kauser ALI could be clearly identified from the footage. She was evidenced placing the cash paid to her for fake goods in a messenger style bag she was wearing.

TM Eye detectives set about trying to identify the suspect in their investigation. As a result of enquiries it was established that ALI had been interviewed by Conwy Trading Standards in Wales, having been caught with a stall full of fake bags at Tir Prince Market. No proceedings had been brought by Trading Standards but the images taken at that time clearly showed their suspect was the same as involved in the TM Eye offences. The suspect was Kausar Fila ALI. A criminal summons was applied for, issued and served. 

On 19th March 2020, ALI appeared at Manchester Magistrates Court and pleaded guilty to all matters. Because of the ‘lockdown’ the court had not sat until today.

TM Eye Director David McKelvey said,”ALI was a prolific offender who operated a substantial criminal business making large sums of money. She had stalls at at least four markets across the UK.

The court today considered a custodial sentence but were persuaded to deal with the matter by way of a Community Sentence. Should she Re offend I have no doubt she will receive a significant term of imprisonment.

TM Eye have over 80 cases within the court system awaiting hearings. Now that the courts are beginning to open again we hope to see further convictions.”

All those convicted by TM Eye have their convictions recorded on the Poluce National Computer and have their DNA, fingerprints and photograph taken for poluce indices.

TM Eye have convicted over 500 persons in recent years by way of private criminal prosecutions and have a 100% conviction rate. 13% of those convicted receive custodial sentences.