Some of the fake soccer merchandise seized by police at a warehouse in Mississauga. (Photo: Toronto Police)

Police say they’ve made the biggest seizure of counterfeit soccer jerseys in Canadian history after a tip led them to more than $3.5 million in bogus sports merchandise housed inside a Mississauga warehouse.

In revealing details of the massive “counterfeit sports merchandise scam” at a news conference on Monday afternoon, Toronto Police said they’ve also arrested two people in connection with the investigation — one person from Mississauga, another from Milton.

“This is the largest known seizure of counterfeit soccer jerseys in Canadian history,” police said, adding their probe began in May after they received a complaint from Lipkus Law LLP, a law firm “specializing in brand protection investigations.”

The firm is also a member of the Canadian Anti-Counterfeiting Network, police noted.

Police said their FIFA World Cup Planning Team Investigative squad, formed in advance of this month’s arrival of the World Cup tournament in Toronto (as well as the U.S. and Mexico), subsequently took up the investigation.

Investigators allege a warehouse in Mississauga was in possession of “a large quantity of fraudulent merchandise” that included soccer jerseys, hats, flags and other sports merchandise.

Police believe the people alleged to have been involved “were supplying products to retail stores and acting as a distributor of fraudulent merchandise.”

Officers executed four search warrants last Tuesday at the Mississauga warehouse in addition to a vehicle and trailers on the same site, police said, adding more than 16,000 “fraudulent jerseys and flags purporting to be name-brand, including FIFA, Nike, Adidas and Puma, as well as two counterfeit FIFA World Cup trophies,” were seized.

“This was a large-scale operation designed to exploit fans and take advantage of their love for sports. It is a reminder to fans to be vigilant,” said Toronto Police Deputy Chief Rob Johnson.

Ramy Jaber, 41, of Milton, and Walid Sarhan, 62, of Mississauga, are charged with:

Fraud over $5,000.
Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.
Pass off wares or services with intent to deceive or defraud.
Sell, offer for sale, distributes on a commercial scale (Goods Trademarks Act).

They’re scheduled to appear in Toronto court on Aug. 17.

Police remind the public to be aware of purchasing goods from non-authorized retailers as they may be fraudulent.

Follow these tips to avoid becoming a victim, police say:

Only buy from trusted sellers.
Verify the seller online.
Look for official tags and packaging.
If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Seized goods as a result of the police investigation. (Photo: Toronto Police)


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