Six arrests in £2m TikTok shop crackdown

Six people have been arrested after police seized more than £2m worth of counterfeit and stolen clothes and trainers in a crackdown on TikTok shop influencers.

Specialist officers from the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) raided a warehouse in Rotherham and found a suspect live-streaming on TikTok to sell counterfeit items.

Police said TikTok shop accounts using influencers to push fake goods to thousands of viewers frequently live-streamed from warehouse-style set-ups, showcasing large amounts of stock while claiming the items were genuine.

The content was designed to drive rapid sales directly through the app, they added.

The six people were arrested on 1 April on suspicion of distributing goods bearing false trademarks and have since been released under investigation.

Police said the total value of counterfeit items seized amounted to £1,162,036, with 26,849 items taken from a single warehouse.

Officers also uncovered another £1m worth of clothing and trainers, which were believed to have been stolen.

The items seized during the operation filled up four 18-tonne lorries, said a spokesperson for PIPCU, which is part of the City of London Police force.

The investigation also revealed a commission scheme that rewarded influencers with higher earnings for every item sold during their live-streams.

Det Sgt Jamie Kirk, from PIPCU, said: "This investigation shows how the sale of counterfeit goods has evolved, moving from traditional market stalls to modern apps and online marketplaces.

"In this case, influencers were used to promote and sell counterfeit products to large audiences.

"This case should send a clear message to anybody selling counterfeit goods online: it is illegal and we will take action."

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