Salisbury Woman Fined for Selling Fake Designer Bags
- A woman in Salisbury was fined for selling counterfeit designer bags.
- Investigators discovered hundreds of fake bags, mimicking brands like Chanel and Louis Vuitton, in her residence.
- This case highlights ongoing issues related to trademark infringement and counterfeit goods.
A Salisbury woman has been ordered to pay nearly £13,000 and complete 100 hours of unpaid work after being found guilty of possessing hundreds of counterfeit designer handbags. Kesini Krueanarong, 46, pleaded guilty to 15 counts related to the possession of fake bags intended for sale. The case was brought to light following a trading standards raid at her home, where officials discovered 344 counterfeit bags mimicking high-end brands such as Chanel, Hermes, and Louis Vuitton. The investigation into Krueanarong began after initial complaints were made between December 2020 and February 2021. At that time, Wiltshire Trading Standards opted to provide her with advice, as she claimed the items were personal possessions. However, a subsequent complaint in August 2021 revealed that she had sold 70 fake handbags through a Facebook page, prompting further scrutiny. In June 2022, trading standards officers executed a raid on her residence, uncovering a significant stash of counterfeit goods, including imitations of brands like Prada, Dior, and Burberry. Following her court appearance at Salisbury Crown Court, Krueanarong received a 12-month suspended sentence in addition to the financial penalty. Councillor Dominic Muns, the Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Environment, emphasized the importance of consumer protection and stated that the sentence should serve as a warning to others engaged in similar illegal activities.