Over 1 million fake HP consumables seized in the UAE

HP has announced the largest single seizure of counterfeit HP products to date in the EMEA region, leading to the confiscation of more than one million fake printer cartridges and components.

During simultaneous raids on five premises across Ajman and Dubai in April 2013, UAE law enforcement officials confiscated around 150,000 laser print cartridges, 100,000 fake cartridge boxes, nearly 50,000 security labels and over 750,000 empty print cartridges.

“HP welcomes this momentous seizure, which strikes a significant blow against the production and distribution of illicit printing supplies by criminal organisations in the Middle East. It is encouraging to see that our support led directly to the largest seizure of fake items since we began the anti-counterfeiting programme in 2006,” says David Cooper, director, HP global anti-counterfeiting programme.

“This seizure demonstrates our determination to protect consumers from illegal products which trick them out of money. If they work at all, counterfeit cartridges provide poor results and may damage your printer, leading to costly repairs or replacement. We appreciate HP’s assistance and applaud their continued investigation of counterfeiting activity which helps us to find and prosecute criminals,” says Rami Kamel, a representative for the Ajman police unit.

Over the last four years, HP has conducted nearly 1,000 investigations, resulting in over 800 enforcement actions (raids and seizures by authorities) and nearly nine million units of counterfeit products and components seized, thus preventing them from being sold in the EMEA.