Fake Xiaomi products worth more than ₹33 lakh seized in Bengaluru, Chennai

Xiaomi has released an official statement about this and said that over 3,000 fake products “consisting of mobile back cases, headphones, power banks, chargers, and earphones, were found”.

This is not the first crackdown Xiaomi has done on counterfeit products. Last year, Xiaomi took the help of Delhi Police to track down fake Mi products in the city. (REUTERS)

The police have managed to bust a racket of fake Xiaomi products in Bengaluru and Chennai worth ₹33.2 lakhs. According to reports, seven people have been arrested and are in custody for selling these “unauthorised” Xiaomi products. All these fake products were seized from three suppliers in Bengaluru and four suppliers in Chennai.

Xiaomi has released an official statement about this and said that over 3,000 fake products “consisting of mobile back cases, headphones, power banks, chargers, and earphones, were found”.

“The shop owners from both the cities were arrested for allegedly selling fake Mi India products worth ₹24.9 lakh and 8.4 lakh respectively,” the company statement added.

“Upon interrogation it was found that these suppliers have been managing this business for a long time and have sold multiple unauthorized products in the market,” Xiaomi said.

Fake products seized from Bengaluru and Chennai.  (Xiaomi)

Fake products seized from Bengaluru and Chennai.  (Xiaomi)

Fake products worth ₹33.3 lakhs were seized.  (Xiaomi)

Fake products worth ₹33.3 lakhs were seized.  (Xiaomi)

Raids were conducted in Chennai and Bengaluru by cops and company representatives.  (Xiaomi)

Raids were conducted in Chennai and Bengaluru by cops and company representatives.  (Xiaomi)

The operation that lead to this crackdown was a part of Xiaomi's anti-counterfeit program.

A complaint was registered with the local police station and then the raids were carried out in the market over the months of October and November. Following this, police officers and company representatives seized these counterfeit devices from prominent shops.

This is not the first crackdown Xiaomi has done on counterfeit products. Last year, Xiaomi took the help of Delhi Police to track down fake Mi products in the city.

First a complaint was filed in the Karol Bagh police station and then raids were conducted in the Gaffar market area. The raid last year saw 2,000 fake Xiaomi products, worth ₹13 lakhs, being seized from four shops in Gaffar market and the owners of these shops were arrested for selling fake products.

Of these 2,000 products seized, some were mobile accessories that had not even been launched in India officially. Products seized included Mi Powerbanks, Mi Travel Adaptor with cable, Mi Neckbands, Mi Earphone Basic with Mic, Mi Wireless Headsets, Redmi Air Dots, Mi 2-in-1 USB Cable and more.