MARBELLA has been rocked by a counterfeit clothing scandal after police smashed a fraud ring operating out of two high–end boutiques.
Policia Nacional officers launched a major raid on the upscale establishments following a secret probe into the sale of fake designer wear to wealthy expats and tourists.
Three people have been arrested and a fourth is under official investigation for offences against industrial and intellectual property rights.
The targeted boutiques were strategically located inside an exclusive commerical zone aimed at wealthy shoppers.
The operation, codenamed Operacion boutique, was triggered when legal representatives of a world-renowned foreign luxury brand filed a formal complaint about their creations being ripped off.
Detectives from the Economic Crimes Group of the Malaga Judicial Police took over the case and discovered the stores were packed with high-quality imitations.
Officers seized a total of 319 garments that imitated the original designs down to the most minute details, including the brand’s exclusive and complex textile patterns.
But the quality and actual cost of the clothing were notably inferior to the authentic products, according to police.
The investigation remains open as judicial authorities review the store registries to determine the full scale of the fraud network.
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