A Gold Coast man has been charged by Australian Federal Police, accused of trying to sell more than $100,000 of fake high-end jewellery.
It follows a raid on a Burleigh Heads jewellery shop back in December 2023 by officers from the AFP and Queensland Police where they were given access to a safe containing jewellery, gold bullion and cash.
Police seized the jewellery, with business records unable to show where the jewellery had come from or its legitimacy.
Following a lengthy investigation, officers determined that a number of counterfeit jewellery pieces had allegedly been presented for sale as genuine Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels pieces.
The items were allegedly listed for sale in store with a value of more than $100,000.
However, the AFP worked out that the true value was closer to around $28,000.
The 40-year-old man has since been charged with 22 counts of possessing or exposing for sale goods with false trademarks.
The charges carry a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment and or a $181,500 fine.
The man is expected to front Southport Magistrates Court on Monday.
AFP Detective Superintendent Adrian Telfer said attempts to sell counterfeit luxury items took advantage of customers who believed their purchase was genuine.
“Selling counterfeit items and products is a deception and fraud that preys upon the goodwill and the back pocket of the customers involved,’ Det Supt Telfer said.
“The AFP has a zero-tolerance approach to anyone allegedly committing an offence that seeks to gain an unfair financial advantage via illegal means.”
Image: Supplied
