Counterfeit motor oil produced in Riga supplied to Italy — losses of €282,000
The Latvian State Police have uncovered a large-scale counterfeit motor oil factory in Riga. A total of 140,000 litres of product bearing GM, Mobil 1 and Castrol brands have been seized.
Counterfeit motor oil produced in Riga reaches Italian shops
The Latvian State Police have referred a case of large-scale counterfeit motor oil production to the prosecutor's office for criminal prosecution, according to Google News LV — Crime (lv). The counterfeit products were supplied and sold in shops in Italy.
On 27 January 2025, law enforcement officers discovered an illegal factory in industrial premises in Riga. During a search, 140,000 litres of counterfeit motor oil bearing the trade marks "GM" ("General Motors"), "Mobil 1", "Castrol" and "Ford Motorcraft" were seized.
In addition to the motor oil, a plastic bottle manufacturing machine, bottle templates, packaging with cork closures and empty container samples were confiscated.
The investigation established that the de facto manager of a company registered in Latvia, born in 1982, and an employee of the company, born in 1983, organised and controlled the counterfeiting of trade marks as well as the distribution of counterfeit products outside Latvia. Both men under suspicion had not previously come to the attention of the police.
The production employed both Latvian nationals and persons from countries outside the European Union.
The losses sustained by the affected companies amount to €282,289. The criminal case has been classified under the Criminal Law article concerning unlawful use of a trade mark, counterfeiting and deliberate distribution — such an offence carries a prison sentence of up to six years.
In the criminal proceeding, two immovable properties valued at €157,500 have been placed under arrest and four motor vehicles valued at €311,250 have been placed under arrest. A decision has also been made to initiate proceedings on the application of coercive measures against a legal person.
The Northern Riga Prosecutor's Office must soon decide on bringing charges against both men under suspicion.
Source: Google News LV — Crime (lv)