Customs officers have arrested 22 people in 18 cases in a series of raids against the sale of counterfeit goods on Internet auction sites since June.

Customs seized a total of 3,491 suspected counterfeit items - including handbags, wallets, ornaments, sunglasses, clothes, socks and shoes - and 17 computers, worth about $390,000 in total. Those arrested were nine women and 13 men, aged between 19 and 53. They were released on bail pending further investigations.

Speaking at a press briefing today, Group Head of Intellectual Property Investigation (Operation) Thomas Lin said the deals were mainly made in face-to-face transactions between sellers and buyers or sometimes by post.

With the assistance of Internet service providers, Customs could trace the Internet protocol addresses and even the identities of those involved.

Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, it is a criminal offence to sell or possess any goods with forged trade marks for trading. The maximum penalty is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

Suspected counterfeiting activities can be reported to Customs 24-hour hotline, 2545 6182.