Surrey RCMP seized 178 electronics in two search warrants as part of a months-long investigation into a counterfeit product operation.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Surrey RCMP

Lower Mainland cops tracked a counterfeit smartphone operation to two homes, where they seized dozens of products that appeared to be new electronics.

The investigation into what appears to have been a sophisticated operation began in December 2023 when Surrey RCMP seized a package of what appeared to be new Apple iPhones in original packaging with receipts.

They later determined the phones were counterfeit and the receipts were fraudulent, according to a news release.

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Police learned the counterfeit products were being sold as genuine throughout the Lower Mainland. On June 27, the investigation led to two search warrants with one in Surrey and the other in Maple Ridge.

Among the 178 fraudulent electronics police seized, they nabbed 74 iPhones, 29 Apple Airpod Pros, 51 Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultras and a Dyson hairdryer. Police also seized dozens of fraudulent receipts, a "large number" of counterfeit Apple product boxes, package security stickers and 12 counterfeit Prad sunglasses with fraudulent certificates of authenticity, according to the news release.

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Spokesperson Sgt. Tammy Lobb said the detachment has heard from 39 duped customers reporting fraudulent smartphones. One detail that stood out to investigators is that each phone had the same IMEI number, which should be unique to every one. Customers will find they will turn on, but the set-up stage only goes so far.

"It begins functioning similar to how an iPhone does," she said. "But then as soon as you get to a particular stage of it, that's when it becomes clear this is not an authentic phone."

Lobb didn't say just how many people are involved, how widespread the scheme is or exactly where the products are coming from. She said there are "multiple" suspects involved and the products are believed to have been manufactured overseas, but those details are still being investigated.

Police did warn the public to be wary when buying a product from somewhere other than a reputable store. Most, if not all, victims bought the products online through buy-and-sell platforms, with some getting them mailed so they had no opportunity to check the product beforehand.

"When making a large purchase such as a smart phone; pay attention to the details," Surrey RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Tammy Lobb said in the release. "Do not give your hard-earned money to a scammer. If the deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is."

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