In a major bust, Hyderabad police have arrested four men and seized fake Apple mobile accessories valued at over Rs 1.1 crore. The gang allegedly sold counterfeit products by slapping Apple logos on packaging, duping unsuspecting customers with fake iPhone gear.
Fake Apple accessories flooding markets isn’t new, but this latest crackdown highlights just how widespread and organized these operations have become. The accused, operating out of Jagdish Market, were caught after police raided multiple shops following a tip-off. The haul included hundreds of EarPods, power banks, cables, batteries, and even silicone back covers — all cleverly disguised with Apple branding.
The officers believe these fake goods were sourced from Mumbai through a network of marketing agents. By packaging counterfeits in boxes that looked real, the suspects tricked buyers into thinking they were getting genuine Apple accessories. Now, they face charges under the Copyright Act for deliberately cheating customers for easy money.
Seizing Fake Apple Accessories: The Raid and Arrests
The Hyderabad police launched a coordinated operation involving the Commissioner’s Task Force, Central Zone Team, and Abids police. Acting on a lead, they targeted several shops in Jagdish Market—a busy commercial hub known for mobile accessories.
Four men—Vikram Singh, Suresh Kumar Rajpurohit, Natharam Choudhary, and Mohammad Sarfaraz—were arrested on the spot. These individuals ran shops selling fake Apple products.
The police seized a staggering quantity of counterfeit items, including:
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156 EarPods
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16 Apple power banks
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430 Apple logo stickers
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295 adapters and adapter covers with Apple logos
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61 USB cables
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45 batteries
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95 back glass pieces
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1,430 silicone back covers
The sheer volume of goods shows the scale of this fake accessories racket. What’s striking is how convincingly these items were presented — the packaging mimicked authentic Apple boxes closely, aiming to fool even savvy buyers.
Mumbai Connection and the Copycat Scheme
Investigations are pointing towards a supply chain that originates in Mumbai. The four men reportedly purchased these fake accessories through various marketing agents based there. These middlemen seem to have played a crucial role in spreading counterfeit Apple products across states.
This isn’t some small-time hustle. The network’s size and the sophistication of packaging suggest a well-oiled system focused on quick profits. Police say the arrested suspects knew full well that these were fake products but went ahead with selling them anyway.
Customers, meanwhile, have been unknowingly paying top prices for these fakes, believing they were getting legit Apple accessories. The disappointment and potential damage to devices from counterfeit chargers and cables could be significant.
Charging the Sellers: Copyright Violations and Fraud
Authorities are prosecuting the four for violating the Copyright Act and cheating consumers. Selling counterfeit products is a clear infringement, and these men allegedly used deceptive tactics to push their fake goods into the market.
The Hyderabad police stressed that the suspects deliberately sourced and packaged these counterfeits to appear genuine. By replicating the Apple logo and packaging design, they misled buyers into thinking they were purchasing original iPhone accessories.
One can only wonder how many customers ended up with faulty cables or power banks that could harm their phones or worse. This case serves as a wake-up call to stay alert when buying tech accessories, especially from local shops.
A Table Highlighting the Seized Fake Products Quantity:
| Item | Quantity Seized |
|---|---|
| EarPods | 156 |
| Power Banks | 16 |
| Apple Logo Stickers | 430 |
| Adapters & Covers | 295 |
| USB Cables | 61 |
| Batteries | 45 |
| Back Glass Pieces | 95 |
| Silicone Back Covers | 1,430 |
What This Means for Consumers and the Market
Fake accessories are not just a nuisance; they pose real safety risks. Poorly made chargers can overheat, and substandard batteries might cause devices to malfunction or even catch fire. Beyond physical risks, customers lose money and trust in brands.
The tech accessory market in India is booming but also highly fragmented. This makes it ripe for counterfeiters who exploit gaps in regulation and enforcement.
While Hyderabad police’s move is commendable, the fight against counterfeit goods is ongoing. Experts say consumers should buy accessories from trusted outlets and avoid suspiciously cheap products that sound too good to be true.
One thing’s for sure: the police crackdown is a reminder that fake tech products aren’t just about lost revenue for brands; they’re a genuine hazard for users.
In the bigger picture, it pushes the government and businesses to step up efforts in stamping out counterfeiting rings that operate in plain sight.
