Today, the Global Times reports that half a million pairs of fake shoes were seized by police in Anhul, China. The shoes were intended to be exported to the Middle East and Africa, with a total value surpassing 600 million yuan, or $87.3 million dollars.
According to China Central Television (CCTV), fake Nikes, Converse and Vans were made to resemble authentic pairs, but were made with cheap materials. They're being produced for about 20 yuan ($3 dollars), then sold for about 400 yuan ($58 dollars) in foreign markets. Though tagged as being manufactured in countries like Vietnam and Malaysia, the shoes were made in the neighboring area of Bengbu.
What makes this story even more interesting is that the bust began with a tip from Nike Sports China to Bengbu police in December 2015, explaining the presence of counterfeit shoes resembling its branded products in Middle East countries. Police spent about a month working with the lead from Nike, before identifying Jinfeng Factory, a subsidiary of the Feiyu Group, as the target in its investigation. In particular, they singled out a major suspect with the surname of Dai, the factory director who had previously served a suspended prison sentence of two years for manufacturing counterfeit shoes in 2008. Ten other suspects have been arrested in connection to the crime in the past two years—Dai reportedly still remains at large.
For now, the case has been handed to local courts for further investigation and sentencing.
