Six people have been arrested after a police operation targeting TikTok shop influencers led to the seizure of counterfeit goods worth over £1 million. Officers from the City of London Police’s Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) raided a warehouse in Rotherham, where they discovered a suspect actively livestreaming on TikTok while selling illicit items.
Police revealed that TikTok shop accounts often use influencers to promote fake merchandise to thousands of viewers. These operations typically involve livestreams from warehouse-style settings, displaying large quantities of stock under the false pretence that the items are genuine, designed to generate quick sales directly through the app.
The six individuals were arrested on suspicion of distributing goods bearing false trademarks, an offence under the Trademarks Act 1994. Police said the total value of items seized was £1,162,036, with 26,849 counterfeit items taken from a single warehouse. Officers also uncovered £1,000,000 worth of clothing and trainers believed to be stolen, filling four 18-tonne lorries.
The investigation also revealed a commission scheme that rewarded influencers with higher earnings for every item sold during their livestreams. Detective Sergeant Jamie Kirk from PIPCU said: “This investigation shows how the sale of counterfeit goods has evolved, moving from traditional market stalls to modern apps and online marketplaces. In this case, influencers were used to promote and sell counterfeit products to large audiences. This case should send a clear message to anybody selling counterfeit goods online: it is illegal and we will take action.”
