Fake Iphone 17 Pro Max in Nigeria: I am even ashamed to admit that Nigerians are importing modified iPhone XR with the new iPhone 17 Pro Max casings. This is embarrassingly shameful not just because it is actually upgraded Yahoo Yahoo but because it tells a bad story of disrespect for INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.
This is an abuse of Apple’s Intellectual Property and if someone reports it, it could lead to Apple suing those who imported or bought the products. In fact , they could even retain the right to search every iPhone 17 user from Nigeria at airports to verify if their iPhone 17 is real or fake. We are already being shamed at airports globally, why do we want to add this shame to the list?
Modifying and selling iPhone XR internals in iPhone 17 Pro Max casings at low prices can constitute counterfeiting or deceptive trade. Counterfeiting or deceptive trade is a crime in the USA, CHINA AND NIGERIA especially because of the intent to deceive. Many people will buy the iPhone XR thinking they bought the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Not all traders will disclose that the iPhone a buyer is purchasing is fake iPhone 17 pro max.
Apple can sue for trademark infringement, copyright violation, and unfair competition, as they have done in past cases against counterfeit sellers. They actively pursue such actions through reports and litigation. In fact, dem get department and lawyers around the world dedicated to pursuing such. My company has supported one of such anti-counterfeit firms here in Johannesburg. Trust me, you don’t want to be known internationally as a vendor of fake products. Your name will enter custom’s database and travelling might become embarrassing even when you are not carrying fake products.
In Nigeria, so called iphone upgrade violates the Trademarks Act and Merchandise Marks Act which criminalises the sale of counterfeit goods with penalties including fines and imprisonment.
In the USA, such trade breaches 18 U.S.C. § 2320 (Trademark Counterfeiting Act), which prohibits trafficking in counterfeit goods, with fines up to $2M and 10 years in prison. Apple can also pursue civil claims under the Lanham Act for trademark infringement.
In China, such importers are Infringing the Chinese Criminal Law Articles 213-215, which makes production/sale of counterfeits a crime with fines and prison time. Even in China, the companies who make such counterfeit products do it underground. They avoid social media. I have been trading with China for the past 9 years. I introduced many people to China. I know China, Chinese Police, Chinese Government etc to a great deal. I have several cases involving the Chinese Police – those at my last Lagos Cybersecurity Meetup will remember. Chinese Police can take note of your counterfeiting trade and keep quiet for many years. They can come for you after 5 years and you will never know that they have been investigating you for years.
Our dear Nigerian hustlers, stay away from Apple’s brand. Apple has more money than the Nigerian Economy. They will come for you and Nigerian Government will ship you out to them with trembling. Apple is at the heart of the US Government. Stay away from counterfeiting their products.
If you need business ideas, COME TO EVOLVE CONFERENCE 3.0 in London. We will show you how you can enter the mobile phone market without infringing on another company’s trademarks.
Those with yahoo bl00d in them will see this post as an attack. But the Elites will know I’m fighting to protect every Nigerian from further international embarrassment. PayPal doesn’t serve Nigeria today – behaviours like this scare international companies away.
My name is Charles Awuzie and I am asking you to share this post until those selling counterfeited iPhones are STOPPED.
