BECKENHAM: Raid uncovers first UK counterfeit consoles (From News Shopper)

BECKENHAM: Raid uncovers first UK counterfeit consoles

5:04pm Wednesday 21st January 2009 in News By Scott Mullins

BOGUS games consoles packaged with potentially dangerous power packs were seized by trading standards officers in Beckenham yesterday (January 20).

And an anti-piracy association says the haul of 40 fake Nintendo DS systems is the first time counterfeit games consoles have been found for sale in the UK.

Bromley Council’s trading standards department, with the help of Bromley police, also found the power packs, game copying devices and 150 fake games for the DS and Game Boy Advance systems.

Two laptops and a PC were also seized in the dawn raid.

The Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA) helps to tackle piracy in the computer and video games industry.

It says invoices at the house revealed a husband and wife team traded online over a two-year period using different identities and that they may have made a profit of more than £50,000 in December alone.

ELSPA managing director Michael Rawlinson said: “The replication of video games software and hardware is illegal and has a negative impact on both local and national businesses.

“ELSPA would like to thank the thorough and professional investigation by the Bromley trading standards department and police, whose work with our investigators has stopped the illegal activities of yet another internet pirate."

Bromley Council portfolio holder for public protection and safety Councillor Colin Bloom said: "This authority will tackle any traders operating in the informal economy in order to protect honest businesses as well as consumers.”

The operation was uncovered after an illegally copied NIntendo DS game was bought online for £40 as a test purchase by the council.

No-one has been arrested in connection with the counterfeiting operation.

The trading standards department says its investigations are continuing.