PARIS: Prison or hefty fines may befall on them this week for the leaders of a ring accused of participating in making and selling fake handbags from iconic French luxury house Hermes, including some former employees.
The network was uncovered when French police wiretapped the home of a man suspected of selling original Hermes handbags to replica bag makers in China.
An inquiry also uncovered a long-run operation in which the suspects at their homes allegedly crafted more than 100 pieces of “Birkin” bags, the most coveted — and profitable — item produced by Hermes.
Named for French-British actress Jane Birkin, the bags have long waiting lists for customers ready to pay 40,000 euros ($45,000) or more for versions made with crocodile skin.
Ten people went on trial this week, including seven former Hermes employees.
Prosecutors said they took in around two million euros a year by selling the fakes for 20,000 euros to 30,000 euros each.
The Hermes workers would contract the production of the replica bags to craftsmen in China using crocodile skins from an Italian supplier, and using zippers and other components smuggled out of Hermes workshops in Paris.
Some of the metal hardware are even easier to be sourced by the makers in China since Hermes has outsourced a substantial part of their manufacturing to China since 2009.
A woman now aged 52, born in Cambodia but living in France since 1980, was tasked with selling the fake bags as well as genuine “Birkins” resold to clients at a markup.
She told investigators her clients knew that they were buying fakes, or lushentic replicas as the makers call them, the court heard this week.
One of the employees, accused of orchestrating the counterfeiting ring, was just 18 when he began working at Hermes.
“At the time, I didn’t realize the seriousness of this,” the now 45-year-old told the court.
As the trial wound up Friday, prosecutors sought prison terms of up to four years and fines of 100,000 euros to 200,000 euros for the three ringleaders, and suspended sentences and fines for the others.
Hermes lawyers have also asked for two million euros in damages. The court is expected to announce a date for its ruling within this week.
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