Fake Louis Vuitton luxury bag operation in China worth US$15.4 million shut down after police arrest almost 40 people
- Nearly 40 people, including one store saleswoman, were arrested in connection to the alleged forging of the bags over a four-year period
- The operation also found suppliers to copy dust bags, warrant certificates, labels, envelopes, and letters
![Some of the fakes produced by the counterfeit operation. Photo: qq.com](https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/styles/1020x680/public/d8/images/canvas/2021/03/12/45c58d4a-063f-4b5d-ba82-ffac52a44d48_e2c28729.jpg?itok=Zss1y3iR&v=1615529071)
Nearly 40 people, including one store saleswoman, were arrested in connection with the alleged forging of the bags over a four-year period, mainland media Thepaper.cn reported.
In some cases, they produced counterfeit bags before the real versions had hit the market. The operation also added chip technology that they claimed allowed customers to verify genuine products — a feature the real bags do not have.
Near-Field-Communication chips (NFC) are tiny sensors that are often attached to the insides of luxury brand items and which show information for consumers to view with their smartphones.
The operation also found suppliers to copy dust bags, warrant certificates, labels, envelopes, and letters.
![The group used patterns from real bags and samples and designs stolen by an insider at Louis Vuitton to manufacture the fakes. Photo: qq.com The group used patterns from real bags and samples and designs stolen by an insider at Louis Vuitton to manufacture the fakes. Photo: qq.com](https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=contain,width=1024,format=auto/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2021/03/12/b981e83d-9e18-4696-bcfa-5a7680b80cc5_81e52f1f.jpg)
The alleged counterfeiters, who were in Guangdong province, have been charged with illegally manufacturing and selling registered trademark goods.
![loading](https://assets-v2.i-scmp.com/production/_next/static/media/wheel-on-gray.af4a55f9.gif)