Hewlett-Packard (HP) will host anti-counterfeiting and fraud training within government and private sector organisations, to combat the trade of counterfeit cartridges for HP printers across SA.
The training will be held in 2020 and will actively educate its customers and partners to be vigilant when it comes to fake printing supplies.
Over the last five years, approximately 12 million counterfeit components have been seized by local authorities, supported by HP across EMEA. The American multinational IT company says it has conducted over 4 500 audits and inspections of partners’ stocks or suspicious deliveries for customers.
HP works closely with local and global law enforcement authorities to detect and dismantle illegal operations that produce counterfeit HP printing components.
In August, HP and South African law enforcement authorities dismantled a criminal operation involved in wholesaling of HP counterfeit cartridges in Pretoria.
After carrying out a raid targeting a large storage facility which develops the fake cartridges, officials confiscated 800 ready-for-sale counterfeit ink and toner cartridges.
“At HP, we are committed to safeguarding our valued clients against becoming unwitting victims of illegal, counterfeit goods, and we’re proud of our continued partnership with South African authorities,” says Tony Bssat, print lead for Africa at HP.
“Working with local authorities has disrupted the trade of counterfeit HP-branded cartridges across the country. We are arranging with the South African government to host training programmes and inspections to help us get a view of government’s IT tenders so we are able to curb this criminal activity through education.”
Many of the counterfeit HP printing components come in via government IT tenders, while some originate from social media adverts and classified posts, notes Bssat.
In January, Ugandan authorities dismantled a criminal ring that distributed counterfeit cartridges for HP printers destined for sale in several East African countries.
In Kampala, officials raided a distribution warehouse that also served as a manufacturing site for counterfeits. The operation resulted in the seizure of 77 000 illicit items, bringing the total number of contraband products seized through recent activity to over 110 000 items in the country.
In September and October 2018, HP’s anti-counterfeiting fraud team, in collaboration with African authorities, conducted two successful operations to stop the trade of imitation cartridges for HP printers across Uganda and Mozambique.
HP says it collaborated with the Nigerian police force to close down 12 illegal operations trading in cartridges for HP printers.
“Counterfeiting is a crime. For users, such illegal imitations can cause a multitude of problems that can cause performance and reliability issues. Should your laptop break through the use of counterfeit accessories or components, you could also have issues with your manufacturer’s warranty becoming void,” warns HP.
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