After successfully conducting the largest counterfeit smartphone bust in Yangon history, Myanmar Police Force are joining forces with Huawei Device Myanmar to eliminate the distribution of fake smartphones.
Following an anonymous source, police descended on Yuzana Plaza and Mingalar market on August 3 to root out and arrest fake phone dealers.
When the dust settled and the perps were in cuffs, Yangon’s finest found themselves sitting on more than 600 imitation Huawei mobiles including 80 Huawei Y5 11s, 136 I Y6s, 76 Huawei Honors, 196 GT30s and 95 Y625s and 118 other Huawei smartphones.
After questioning the suspects, police were able to ascertain the location of a supply house. Before dawn the following day, forces raided an apartment in Quarter No 3, Thinangyun Township and seized 643 counterfeit Huawei phones belonging to an unnamed Chinese national, said Major Hla Wai of the Yangon Police Force.
“We are actively investigating the case and questioning suspects at Mingalar Taungnyunt Police station. We’re hoping to unearth more about this sinister supply chain, methods of distribution, domestic logistics, border tunnels, phone mules, and area of origin,” Major Hla Wai told Myanmar Business Today.
“We are thoroughly investigating the case and addressing the matter with the utmost seriousness,” Major Hla Wai said sternly
Huawei Device Myanmar has pledged to work closely with Myanmar Police Force to protect copyrights, branding, and the integrity of Huawei’s smartphones.
“We really appreciate the authorities taking such swift and effective action to punish counterfeit smartphone vendors,” Ma Khin Yadanar Win, Marketing Director of Huawei Device Myanmar, told Myanmar Business Today.
“We also urge Yangon smartphone users to buy their Huawei products from authorized sales center to ensure legality and authenticity,” Ma Khin Yadanar Win added.
Jack Ma of Alibaba is spearheading the call for a crackdown on counterfeits in China, arguing that they “curb the country’s chances of leading in innovation because of its historical reputation around counterfeits.”
Currently, there are dozens of street vendors selling cheap and counterfeit smartphones in Kyauktada, Tamwe, Pabedan and Latha townships. According to experts, forged phones are 30 to 40 percent cheaper than authentic ones.
Source:Myanmar Business Today