UK eBay sellers sentenced over 'hazardous' fake chargers

Two eBay sellers from London have been handed suspended prison sentences after their "sophisticated" counterfeit goods scam was exposed.

The two men – Foysal Habib (44) and Abu Sufian (50) pleaded guilty in August 2024 to selling counterfeit and dangerous charging devices, fake Bio-Oil brand skincare products, and knock-off clothing on eBay, after their activities were revealed in a spot check carried out by Tower Hamlets Trading Standards.

Officers confiscated counterfeit items including Apple batteries, Samsung earphones, and various adapters and USB cables during the inspection at an Internet café in Burdett Road, Mile End.

Habib was handed a six-month custodial sentence and Abu was given nine months, in both cases suspended for two years.

The judge described the operation as "sophisticated," and highlighted Sufian's leading role, noting that a custodial sentence without suspension would have been imposed had he not changed his earlier plea of not guilty.

Financial penalties under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) and cost considerations are set to be addressed at a later hearing.

"Selling counterfeit goods is not a victimless crime as fake cosmetics and electronics very often do not meet safety regulations, putting people's health and potentially their lives in danger," said Councillor Shafi Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Emergency at Tower Hamlets Council

"The London Fire Brigade has especially warned of the dangers that counterfeit electrical chargers and batteries pose as they have recently been linked to serious injuries and fires in the UK," he added. "I'd like to thank our Trading Standards Team for their work in this case and I hope it sends a strong message to anyone else selling knock-off goods that it won't be tolerated here in Tower Hamlets."