(PR 646/24)
Intensive investigations into the sale of counterfeit and illegal goods online, as well as money laundering, have led to the arrest of a 26-year-old Maltese man.
The investigations began after the police received anonymous information about a TikTok account, where an individual was advertising the sale of counterfeit branded watches, with payments reportedly made only in cash, allegedly to facilitate money laundering.
The investigation also revealed that the same individual was advertising the illegal installation of beacon lights and sirens on private vehicles. Consequently, the police conducted surveillance, and the suspect was arrested while driving a vehicle equipped with activated beacon lights and a siren. The vehicle was not registered with the authorities and lacked a license.
A search at the suspect’s residence uncovered several counterfeit watches, bags, and jewelry, along with a number of beacon lights and sirens. Additionally, numerous pepper spray cans were found, allegedly intended for sale, as well as cash. The authorities also seized a quantity of blank credit cards, commonly associated with credit card fraud through cloning. Further investigation revealed that the suspect was advertising the sale of counterfeit euros, with payments made via cryptocurrency.
The investigations also uncovered an alleged business operation on the ‘dark web’ involving the purchase of illegal substances, including drugs from China, which were allegedly distributed for sale in other countries.
The man is expected to be arraigned in court today.