OCCHIOBELLO (Rovigo) – Following the intensification of controls ordered by Provincial Command of Rovigoto combat the illegal economy, an important investigation was developed which made it possible to reveal a complex system of supply and distribution of goods, which, according to initial findings, appears to be presumably counterfeit, through electronic commerce channels (so-called shopping online).
In recent days, in fact, we have reached a first epilogue of the investigations conducted by the Financiers of the Tenenza of Occhiobello which they performed searches in Naples and surrounding areas of the alleged perpetrators of the crimes, some collection points (so-called stop depot) and took the headquarters of a courier of national importance (not involved in the investigation activity), where the parcels containing the counterfeit goods and destined for unsuspecting buyers located throughout the entire National territory.
During the investigations, which lasted approximately 4 months, the presence of sites specialized in the online sale of shoes and clothing bearing the sports brands of the most famous fashion houses was ascertained. The sites reported the name of “physical” shops actually existing and known, so as to generate the feeling among unaware buyers that everything was in order. It’s a shame that, upon receipt of the goods ordered and paid for strictly “cash on delivery”, – at least in the case encountered – they actually discovered that they were apparently counterfeit goods.
This is exactly what happened to a citizen of Polesine who, after having purchased a pair of branded shoes online, upon receipt, after a careful examination carried out also thanks to the help of the Occhiobello financiers, discovered that they were shoes that presented discrepancies compared to the original products to the point of causing suspicion it is a well counterfeited product. This circumstance will obviously have to be confirmed during the investigations which were started immediately, at the end of which reports were reported, in the first accusatory hypothesis, two people – both resident in Campania – for the crimes referred to in articles. 474, 648, 517 of the criminal code
On the basis of the elements collected, the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Rovigo ordered the execution of 4 local and house searches in the Campania capital and in some neighboring municipalities, which led to the seizure of over 300 items of counterfeit clothing/shoes, for a estimated value at approximately 30,000 euros. The proceeding is still in the preliminary investigation phase and the position of the two perpetrators is still being examined by the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Rovigo also to fully reconstruct the responsibilities of the suspects and the extent of the phenomenon, which from the outset appears to be of considerable size .
Interventions of this type – which will be further intensified with the advent of the summer season – demonstrate the effort constantly made by the Guardia di Finanza in guaranteeing effective control of the territory to protect consumers and honest commercial operators who suffer from unfair competition.
