HP and UAE Officials thwart illegal crime ring and seize 72,000 illicit items

HP and United Arab Emirates (UAE) officials successfully disrupted an illegal crime ring assembling counterfeit cartridges for HP printers in substantial quantities. 

In January 2021, local authorities conducted a major raid targeting a large-scale warehouse complex in the Emirate of Ajman. As a result, officials were able to secure over 72,000 illegitimate items from the warehouse, halting their sale in the UAE market. This follows a series of successful raids in November and December 2020 which saw HP shut down several counterfeiting operations in Egypt, seizing 8,500 illicit items in quick succession.

“HP is proud of its continued partnership with UAE officials to protect our valued customers from unknowingly purchasing fraudulent products,” said Vishnu Taimni, Vice President & Managing Director of Middle East, Turkey, and East Africa at HP. “The successful collaboration with local authorities to seize illicit goods from the UAE market is reflective of the effectiveness of HP’s Anti-Counterfeiting and Fraud Programme and highlights our commitment to ensure customers receive the best experience – from quality to reliability – with HP Originals print supplies.”

Counterfeiting is a crime. For users, such illegal imitations can cause a multitude of problems that can lead to performance and reliability issues. Should your printer break because of using counterfeit printer ink or toner, you may have difficulty with your manufacturer’s warranty becoming not applicable.  

In contrast, original HP products are designed to meet HP’s strict quality and reliability standards, based on a long history of research, development, and testing. Original HP LaserJet and HP inkjet cartridges, unlike counterfeits, benefit from superior performance and consistent results. 

Across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) over the last five years, approximately 12 million counterfeits and components have been seized by local authorities, supported by HP. HP has conducted over 4,500 audits and inspections (CPPAs and CDIs) of partners’ stocks or suspicious deliveries for customers. 

Through HP’s Anti-Counterfeit and Fraud (ACF) Programme, the company actively educates its customers and partners to be vigilant against fake printing supplies. It also cooperates closely with local and global law enforcement authorities to detect and dismantle illegal operations that produce counterfeit HP printing components.