Birmingham Couple's Home-Based Counterfeit Clothing Operation Uncovered
In a shocking case of trademark infringement, a Birmingham couple transformed their Acocks Green residence into a sophisticated counterfeit clothing factory, producing fake branded t-shirts that cost legitimate brands an estimated £2 million in financial harm.
The Fake Clothing Factory in a Family Home
Shahzad Ahmed, aged 41, and his wife Afshan Shahzad operated their illicit business from Bricksmith Close in Acocks Green, using their modest home as the base for a large-scale counterfeit operation. The couple utilized a simple t-shirt printer and stacks of plain garments to create fake products bearing well-known logos and designs.
Operating through their company Smass Ltd, registered at Bizspace Business Park in Tyseley, the couple ran the scam for more than five years despite receiving warnings from authorities to cease their activities.
Major Brands Targeted in Counterfeit Scheme
The scope of the operation was revealed when Birmingham Trading Standards officers raided the property and seized evidence. Images from the raid showed shelves stacked high with plain t-shirts in various colors, ready to be printed with counterfeit designs.
The affected brands included:
- Gucci
- Marvel and Warner Brothers
- Paw Patrol
- DeWalt tools
- Football Association's England logo
- Bob Marley images
- Honda, Olympics, and Adidas logos
- NASA, Batman, Game of Thrones
- MGM's Vikings TV show logo
- Stan Lee's Man of Many Faces image
- BMW, The Punisher, Jurassic Park
- Team GB, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz
The Business Behind the Scam
According to Companies House records, Smass Ltd was officially listed for retail sales via mail order and internet, along with information technology services and management consultancy. However, the company's financial records told a different story.
Micro accounts for the year ending May 2024 showed current assets of £17,257 against liabilities of £20,344, resulting in a deficit of £4,024. The following year's accounts revealed net current assets of £11,660 with current liabilities of £21,514, indicating a deficit of £7,384. The company reportedly had three employees, but nothing suggested the scale of the counterfeit operation.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
Both Shahzad Ahmed and Afshan Shahzad admitted to offering goods bearing signs identical to registered trademarks and possession of such goods, offences under the Trade Mark Act. Ahmed additionally pleaded guilty to money laundering under the Proceeds of Crime Act for transferring and converting criminal property from the sale of counterfeit goods.
At Birmingham Crown Court, Ahmed received a six-and-a-half-year prison sentence, while his wife was given a two-year suspended sentence. She was also ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and 10 days of rehabilitation.
Official Response and Warning
Sajeela Naseer, Director of Regulation and Enforcement at Birmingham City Council, stated: "This case represented a serious and deliberate attempt to profit from criminal activity at the expense of consumers, legitimate businesses, and well‑known brands. Despite repeated warnings and clear opportunities to cease their activities, Mr Ahmed and Ms Shahzad continued to operate illegally for personal gain. The sentencing reflects the gravity of their actions, and we hope it sends a strong message that counterfeiting will not be tolerated in Birmingham."
Birmingham Trading Standards emphasized their ongoing commitment to working with brand owners, enforcement partners, and online platforms to identify and disrupt similar illegal trading operations in the future.
