Yesterday, Iwunoh Zeal Obryan, director of Ugofid UK Limited, trading as Hugofid Fashion UK based on Dudley Road in Wolverhampton, received a 10 month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months for fraudulent trading.
Obryan has also been disqualified from being a director for 7 years and his company Ugofid UK Limited received a fine of £5,679.
In addition, the court has ordered Obryan to carry out 240 hours of unpaid work.
City of Wolverhampton Council’s Trading Standards team investigated Obryan after receiving a complaint from a member of the public that Hugofid Fashion UK was selling counterfeit goods.
Wolverhampton Trading Standards carried out test purchases from the store and were sold a ‘Michael Kors’ belt, a ‘Louis Vuitton’ belt and a pair of ‘Nike’ trainers, which were all confirmed to be counterfeit.
Further test purchasing exercise was also carried out from the trader’s website. Trading Standards purchased a pair of Nike trainers and a Ted Baker bag costing £75. However, despite payment being made, the goods were never delivered.
Over 300 fake branded items including Nike and Adidas trainers, counterfeit designer goods by Paul & Shark, The North Face and Michael Kors, designer handbags, designer belts, sunglasses, shoes, watches, jewellery and other clothing by designers/trademark holders including Chanel, Vivienne Westwood, Prada, Gucci and Louis Vuitton were all seized from Obryan’s business and home address.
Paul Dosanjh, Trading Standards Service Lead at City of Wolverhampton Council said: “This was a commercial operation selling high value designer goods to the public.
“Selling and supplying counterfeit items is a serious crime that not only deceives customers but also robs the public purse of much needed revenue and businesses who are trying to earn an honest living.
“I hope today’s success sends out a message to those who are funding this illegal trade that we are serious about clamping down on the sale of illegal products.
“I encourage anyone who knows of any counterfeit items being sold to report it, so we can work together to put a stop to this illegal trade and prosecute those who continue to break the law at the expense of others.”
Iwunoh Obryan pleaded guilty to fraudulent trading in January 2019.
All items seized by Trading Standards were forfeited for destruction.
