Hairstyling Irons Found to be Dangerous Counterfeit.

The Federal Enforcement Section (FES) of the RCMP in Calgary have seized two counterfeit CHI Ceramic Hairstyling Irons which are associated to the seizure made in Regina last Friday. Acting on information received from Regina RCMP, Calgary FES believe numerous counterfeit CHI hairstyling iron have been sold in Calgary and throughout southern Alberta. Although only two have been seized in Calgary, the RCMP believe upwards of 600 CHI products have been sold in southern Alberta. No charges have been laid in the Calgary FES file and the investigation continues. The suspect in Calgary is the same person arrested in Regina, a 23 year old man from Medicine Hat, Alberta

On Friday, November 20th at 10:00 AM the Regina Border Integrity Section was contacted by Regina City Police Service to assist in investigating an on-going suspected Intellectual Property crime. Investigators attended to a north Regina educational institution where a male suspect was arranging sales of CHI Ceramic Hairstyling Irons. Employees at this location became suspicious when the product was offered at a fraction of the price of the genuine article, and contacted police. The suspect, a 23 year old male was arrested at the scene in possession of a large supply of the Flat Irons. The estimated value of the seized product is $19,300.00. Charges against the male suspect are pending, and the investigation into this matter is continuing.

CHI products have not been subjected to the required testing to obtain Canadian Standards Association (CSA) safety approval. The public should therefore be aware that the products are a potential fire hazard and could fail, thereby causing serious injury to the user. The two products seized in this instance were the CHI Pink Dazzle Limited Edition Flat Iron, which is red in color and comes in a pink cardboard box, and the CHI, which is black in color, and comes in a predominantly black cardboard box. The CHI counterfeit products were being offered for sale in Regina for between $59.95 and $64.95. The same product was offered for sale in Calgary for as little as $34.95. The regular price of these items, from a legitimate distributer, is in the range of $150. In Regina the suspect went to many schools and hospitals and it is know that in Calgary and other areas of southern Alberta the suspect attended and sold these items at financial institutes, smaller hair salons and insurance outlets. It is believed that this suspect or others may have attended at any location which may have had a significant number of potential clients.

BACKGROUND: Theft of Intellectual Property

Intellectual Property Crime is mainly related to the illegal counterfeiting and sale of consumer goods or services. This type of crime affects different areas of activities: pharmaceuticals, popular household items such as the Flat Irons in this case, theft of satellite television signals and counterfeiting of designer clothes.

Safety of the Canadian public and the financial integrity of Canada’s economy are priorities for the RCMP. The RCMP are therefore committed to combating the theft of Intellectual Property. The public should be aware that unregulated counterfeit electrical, tobacco and health products pose a serious threat to the health and well-being of Canadians, and the sale of counterfeit clothing and entertainment items diverts Canadian dollars away from legitimate Canadian businesses and government tax-funded programs which benefit all Canadians. Canadians should also be aware that in many cases the proceeds of the sale of counterfeit goods directly finances organized crime and terrorist activity in Canada and around the world. More information on the theft of Intellectual Property can be found on the following internet site http://www.rcmp.ca/fio/intellectual e.htm.

Anyone who may have been a victim of an Intellectual Property crime or who may know an individual or organization engaged in this type of crime is invited to contact an investigator at the RCMP Federal Enforcement Section at (403) 699-2714.