OMR 10,000 fine and deportation for supplier caught selling counterfeit electronics in Oman

Muscat : A supplier has been sentenced to three years in prison, permanent deportation from the Sultanate of Oman, and a fine of OMR 10,000 following the seizure of a massive haul of counterfeit electronics in Muscat. The seized items, which included electrical switches, sockets, and LED lighting products, were being sold in local markets as genuine products belonging to internationally recognised brands.

The Consumer Protection Authority (CPA), through its Department of Combating Commercial Fraud, uncovered the operation following intensive investigation and inquiry efforts. The investigation revealed that the accused had engaged in systematic trademark counterfeiting by affixing misleading information on products to deceive consumers. Furthermore, the supplier had falsified purchase invoices and country-of-origin data to lend credibility to the counterfeit goods and generate unlawful profits.

During the seizure, officials recovered 15,418 lighting products of various types bearing the Samsung trademark, alongside 104,057 electrical switches and sockets carrying the LG trademark. Following the completion of legal procedures, the case was referred to the competent court, which issued a conviction based on the evidence presented by the CPA.

While the defendant attempted to appeal the verdict, the court ruled the appeal inadmissible, affirming the validity of the legal procedures followed. The CPA has reiterated its commitment to intensifying regulatory efforts and combating commercial fraud in all its forms. The Authority calls on consumers to be vigilant, verify the sources of their products, and report any suspicious practices to help maintain a safe and reliable market environment in Oman.