Three men arrested over alleged plot to sell fake airbags as police find 500 counterfeits in raid
THREE men have been arrested over an alleged plot to sell fake airbags.
Police found 500 counterfeit safety systems and £140,000 in a raid on several homes.
It was suspected the airbags were imported from China to be sold abroad for as little as £25.
City of London Police’s Det Chief Insp Emma Warbey said: “Counterfeit airbags pose a serious threat to customers who purchase them and have them installed in their vehicles.
“These airbags aren’t manufactured to industry standards, so there’s a real possibility that they won’t inflate during a road traffic collision, or will deploy in error.
“Counterfeiting a device designed to save lives demonstrates the lengths that criminals will go to make money and their disregard for the safety of the people who will end up using these products.
“The fake airbags we seized today are sold at prices far below the cost of quality, genuine equipment.
“We know that the offer of a good deal can be enticing, but it’s always important to buy vehicle parts from a reputable seller.”
The men aged 34, 36, and 51 were held over the finds in East London on suspicion of fraud by false representation, conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to distribute counterfeit goods.
They were released under investigation.