Danger alert as fake airbags seized in police raid

23 September 2024  

City of London Police (CoLP) today confirmed three arrests over the sale of dangerous counterfeit car airbags — just weeks after Aftermarket revealed plans for a UK campaign alerting garages and consumers to the risks of fake auto parts.

Officers from the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit at CoLP revealed they had made arrests at homes and a garage in east London in the early hours of September 19, seizing 500 counterfeit airbags and an estimated £140,000 in cash.

A written price list found at the garage suggested that the airbags were sold for as little as £25.

Police dogs found the majority of the cash hidden in nappies inside a wall cavity at one of the homes.

Three men were arrested on suspicion of fraud by false representation, conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to distribute counterfeit goods.

The raids were carried out following a tip-off from the US Department of Homeland Security. Police suspect that the airbags were imported into the UK from China and sold abroad.

Cardell Morant, special agent in charge of US Homeland Security Investigations Charlotte said: “Airbags are critical life-saving devices that are designed and produced to protect motorists. Counterfeit airbags pose a serious threat to the safety of consumers in both the US and the UK.”

PIPCU is calling on anyone who is concerned that they may have inadvertently bought a counterfeit airbag or vehicle part to contact their nearest authorised car dealer so that their vehicle can be checked.

Aftermarket reported last month that the UK’s Intellectual Property Office was preparing a campaign aimed at warning the automotive sector and motorists about the ongoing risk of fake and dangerous car parts in the UK market.

Information around the sale and supply of counterfeit vehicle parts can be reported to Crimestoppers (crimestoppers-uk.org) or by calling 0800 555 111.