Bogus goods posted on Facebook seized in £50k Skelmersdale raid

Trading Standards officers got a tip-off fake goods were being advertised on Facebook

More than 1,300 items of counterfeit clothes and trainers which were being sold on Facebook, have been seized from a house.

Trading Standards said the haul had a street value of about £50,000.

Officers raided the Skelmersdale home after being tipped off about the goods being advertised online.

Counterfeit Nike and Adidas trainers and Ugg boots were recovered, as well as clothes and jewellery, with the fake trademark Cartier.

North Face, Berghaus and Hugo Boss brands were also faked, the council said.

Lancashire County Councillor Michael Green, cabinet member for health and wellbeing said: "This is another fantastic example of our team taking hard-hitting action when they see crimes being committed online.

"Trading Standards received 360 complaints in 2023 about counterfeit toys, perfume, tobacco, alcohol and clothing, from concerned residents and genuine traders."

The council would work hard to protect legitimate shopkeepers and remove illegal operators, while also protecting residents from "shoddy purchases", he added.