HP, Kenyan officials close down a local counterfeiting business

HP announced that it has worked with Kenyan officials to close down a local counterfeiting business in Nairobi.

The local authorities confiscated about 100 ready-for-sale toner cartridges and 8,400 illicit components for manufacturing further fakes.

“The local business’ illicit counterfeiting arm had been operating out of a hidden warehouse. By working closely with HP’s Anti-Counterfeiting and Fraud team, Kenyan officials were able to identify the fact that the business was manufacturing fake print supplies and intercept the products made for market,” read the statement.

The information on the illicit operation originated from routine market inspections by HP, alongside locally based investigators.

“Counterfeiting is a crime. For users, such illegal imitations can cause a multitude of problems that can cause performance and reliability issues. Should your printer break because of using counterfeit printer ink or toner, you could also have issues with your manufacturer’s warranty becoming not applicable,” the statement added.

Through HP’s Anti-Counterfeiting and Fraud (ACF) Programme, the company actively educates its customers and partners to be vigilant against fake printing supplies. It also cooperates closely with local and global law enforcement authorities to detect and dismantle illegal operations that produce counterfeit HP printing components.

Across EMEA over the last five years, approximately 12 million counterfeits and components have been seized by local authorities, supported by HP. HP has conducted over 4,500 audits and inspections (CPPAs and CDIs) of partners’ stocks or suspicious deliveries for customers.