Thousands of fake Otterbox mobile phone cases seized during garda raids in Dublin

Gardai have seized thousands of fake Otterbox mobile phone cases, worth more than €180,000, during a series of searches at premises across Dublin.

The raids, led by the Intellectual Property Crime Network in the Dublin Metropolitan Region, were carried out this Wednesday as part of an operation targeting Intellectual Property crime

Eight different properties were searched and the operation received support and assistance from members of the Intellectual Property Crime Investigation Unit in the National Criminal Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Dublin Crime Response Team and local garda units.

"During the course of the searches, 6,131 suspected counterfeit items were seized with an estimated loss of revenue of €183,930. The items seized were fake Otterbox mobile phone cases," said a garda spokesperson who added that all of the suspected contraband is subject to further examination.

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Photos released by investigating gardai show the seized phone covers and protective screens relate to a number of different make and model of phone.

Gardai say no arrests have been made and that investigations are ongoing.

"Intellectual Property crime is estimated to cost the EU economy over €85 billion per year and can pose serious risks to public health, safety and job security," said a spokesperson.