Nonthaburi police bust counterfeit shampoo ring selling for 100 baht

Law enforcement recently conducted a crackdown on an illicit shampoo operation in Nonthaburi, resulting in the apprehension of a 58-year-old woman and her 30-year-old nephew.

The duo engaged in deceptive practices by refilling used branded shampoo bottles with their own concoction, passing them off as genuine products at local markets. Shockingly, they sold two bottles for just 100 baht.

Puttidej Boonkrapue, a senior officer of the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD), instructed a team led by Senior Police Officer Weerapong Homhual and Police Lieutenant Colonel Visarut Thaijanad to collaborate with representatives from affected companies and officials from the Intellectual Property Department to carry out the raid.

The suspects, identified as Duangsumal and Rerngrit, were caught red-handed in their residences in the Bang Bua Thong district of Nonthaburi.

During the raid, the police seized a total of 2,389 items, including 129 bottles bearing the Head & Shoulders brand, 147 with Pantene, 25 with Rejoice, 532 with Unilever, and 69 with Shokubutsu branding. Additionally, authorities discovered 432 empty used bottles from various brands, 28 bottles of the homemade mixture, and 1,027 pieces of plastic bags and other tools used in the bottling process.

The investigation was prompted by tips from representatives of the affected companies to the CPPD, indicating the sale of counterfeit versions of their shampoo products. Further inquiry revealed that the suspects purchased used authentic shampoo bottles from second-hand shops and filled them with a mixture made from readily available market ingredients.

These counterfeit products were sold at significantly reduced prices compared to genuine ones, with authentic bottles typically priced around 195 baht (US$ 5), while the counterfeit versions were being sold for as little as 60 baht (US$ 1.6) each or two for 100 baht (US$ 3).

The customer base for these illicit goods included local market traders and Facebook groups, such as Free Shipping Prueksa3 and Prueksa3 Food and Goods Free Shipping. This posed a challenge for consumers to differentiate between the counterfeit and genuine products since the containers used were authentic.

To verify the authenticity of the goods, companies had to resort to scientific verification directly from the manufacturers.

Following verification, officers executed a search warrant issued by the Intellectual Property Court, leading to the arrests and confiscation of the counterfeit goods. The suspects are currently in custody and facing charges, pending further investigation by CPPD officials.