A Southall trader will have to pay more than £16,000 after being caught with counterfeit mobile phone accessories.

Ealing Council’s Trading Standards officers visited the premises of Phone World Mobile Accessories Ltd, based at Charles House, Bridge Road, Southall in December 2020. They seized thousands of fakes items.

Officers found a large amount of suspected counterfeit mobile phone accessories such as charging cables, batteries, cases and adaptors, as well as Apple Airpods and Samsung branded Buds.

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Apple and Samsung representatives were present and confirmed that the goods were fake. More than 5,500 suspected items were seized and taken away.

Mr Ginttu Singh Khurana pleaded guilty to 10 charges on behalf of the company at Uxbridge Magistrates last week.

The company was fined £12,500, plus costs of £3,612.85 and was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £190, bringing the total cost of the fine to £16,382.85.

Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, cabinet member for decent living incomes said: "Selling counterfeit goods is not a victimless crime. It takes business away from legitimate, hardworking retailers, but consumers think they’re snapping up a bargain and can put themselves at risk if they buy products which do not meet safety standards."

"Don’t be tempted to buy something that you know is way below the recommended retail price, no matter how tempting it may seem."

Fake goods are sold at low and often very tempting prices. Consumers should be wary of deals that appear too good to be true – they usually are.

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If you think you’ve been the victim of an unfair trading practice please contact Citizens Advice consumer service via:

• The Adviceguide website
• Call 0808 223 1133 for a Citizens Advice consumer service adviser

In April 2015, Phone World Mobile Accessories Limited and its director, Ginttu Singh Khurana pleaded guilty to selling counterfeit goods and dangerous electrical equipment.

They received fines totalling £7,000T plus costs, at Ealing Magistrates’ Court, following a successful prosecution by Ealing Council trading standards.