Busted! Counterfeit iPhone operation raided in China

Shanzhai iPhone at Cybermart Shanghai

China’s authorities took a baby step in the right direction on Friday (Jan 15) by busting a counterfeit iPhone operation in Huaqiangbei, Shenzhen. More than 1,000 pirate (phony) iPhones were confiscated at the “Shanzhai” (counterfeit culture) manufacturing operation. Twenty-eight (28) workers were taken into custody for questioning in the manufacturing and distributing of the fake iPhones. After the interrogations were complete, the operation ringleaders were arrested. According to Shanzhen Daily;

Seven (7) were arrested by police, who raided a workshop in the city’s busiest business area Friday, seizing more than 1,000 iPhones and 6,000 phone batteries. Apple Inc. officials have expressed their appreciation for the police officers’ “commendable” efforts.

Apple is sending staff to Shenzhen to learn more about the case and could possibly meet the press Thursday, an Apple staff member surnamed Xiao, who is with Apple’s market surveillance department in southern China, said yesterday.

The timing of the Shanzhai iPhone raid is quite interesting … coming just days after Google expressed outrage over the attempted theft of Google’s intellectual property (IP), and following a formal complaint by the U.S. Department of State (Secretary of State Hilary Clinton).