The Hyderabad Commissioner’s Task Force (Central Zone), in collaboration with Abids Police, raided multiple mobile shops in the city’s bustling Jagadish Market on May 25, uncovering a well-oiled operation peddling fake Apple accessories. Authorities seized counterfeit products worth ₹1.01 crore and arrested four shop owners who were allegedly part of a larger interstate grey market supply chain.
Officials confirmed that the items, including imitation AirPods, power banks, USB cables, and thousands of mobile covers—all branded with duplicated Apple logos—were sourced from unauthorized dealers in Mumbai and sold at market prices under the guise of authenticity.
The Fraud: Coordinated Raids, Branded Deception
Acting on credible intelligence, police teams conducted simultaneous raids across four retail units in Jagadish Market, a well-known electronics hub. The arrested individuals include Vikram Singh of Shree Mataji Mobiles, Suresh Kumar Rajpurohit of R.G. Mobiles, Natharam Choudary of Rajaram Mobiles, and Mohammad Sarfaraz, owner of Sapna Mobiles.
Among the seized items were:
- 156 counterfeit AirPods
- 16 power banks
- 295 chargers and adapters
- 61 USB cables
- 1,430 silicone back covers
- 430 stickers bearing the Apple logo
Investigators said these products were packaged to mimic genuine Apple goods with astonishing accuracy—down to the printed retail boxes and serial labeling. “They were intentionally deceiving customers. These aren’t just generic fakes; these are brand-violating, copyright-infringing replicas meant to dupe buyers into believing they were buying original Apple products,” said DCP Task Force Y.V.S. Sudheendra.
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The Supply Chain: Mumbai’s Underground Mobile Market
Police suspect that the counterfeit accessories were procured from marketing agents operating out of Mumbai, long known for its sprawling grey markets and unlicensed electronics trade. The agents reportedly supplied bulk shipments of lookalike accessories with pre-printed Apple logos and fake barcodes, enabling sellers to pass them off as originals.
“This is not the work of amateurs. The packaging, the finish—everything was designed to mislead even discerning buyers. Most consumers don’t question the authenticity unless the product malfunctions, which could take weeks,” said a senior officer familiar with the probe.
While Hyderabad served as the retail endpoint, officials believe these counterfeit products have distribution networks that span major Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities. Further investigations are underway to identify the handlers in Mumbai and track logistics.
Legal Ramifications and a Growing Industry Challenge
The arrested shopkeepers have been booked under multiple sections of the Copyright Act and relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The seized goods, along with the accused, were handed over to the Station House Officer (SHO) at Abids Police Station for formal prosecution.
Experts warn that the case is not isolated. India’s booming smartphone accessory market—driven by high demand and low-price expectations—has become fertile ground for counterfeiters. A 2023 study by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) estimated that the fake electronics market in India causes losses of over ₹15,000 crore annually to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
“This case is a wake-up call. Retail accountability, customer awareness, and strong supply chain audits are the need of the hour,” said a spokesperson for a leading mobile retail association.
Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies have vowed to ramp up inspections in other marketplaces suspected of harboring similar illicit trade.