The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has begun tracking producers of counterfeit television sets following a viral video exposing the illicit activities at Alaba International Market in Lagos.
The video showed stacks of TV cartons bearing popular brand names like LG and Hisense, with allegations that the products were locally assembled and fake
According to the video, traders in Alaba were involved in printing logos of popular TV brands on fraudulently assembled sets.
A man in the clip claimed that over 3,000 fake TV sets were found in a shop, with brand logos printed on cartons, remote controls, and TV edges to make them appear genuine.
According to him, some televisions bearing LG and Hisense labels with certain cartons were fake and produced in Alaba.
He claimed that the traders printed brand logos on the cartons, remote controls, and the edges of the television sets to make them appear genuine.
The man further alleged that a shop he visited had over 3,000 of the fake television sets already branded.
He said, “I was in Alaba and I came across these guys that are printing on new televisions, especially LG and Hisense.
If you bought an LG TV, irrespective of the size, and it has this carton, it is actually fake. All these are produced in Alaba. Those who are into printing understand this. The guy is printing LG’s logo on the cartons.
“What these guys do is send their request to a Chinese company that produces TVs and tell them to produce a low-quality TV.”
Reacting to the development, the Press Liaison Officer of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Angela Okisor, said the agency had begun tracking those behind the fraudulent practices.
Okisor, who spoke with our correspondent on Friday, added that the organisation was also collaborating with security operatives, noting that investigations were being carried out at a high level.
She noted, “We are tracking the stuff. We are working with the union to sort it out. We are working with security operatives on it. We are working at a high level.”
However, Nigerians condemned the development, alleging the production of fake television sets in the area.
A resident of Alaba, Ajayi Damilola, who spoke with our correspondent, claimed that both original and counterfeit items were traded in the area, urging buyers to exercise caution.
“In Alaba, there is nothing you can’t find. Fake products are repackaged like originals, so you have to be very careful when buying things there,” he said.
Another resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said purchasing electronics in the market requires smartness, warning that unsuspecting buyers could easily end up with fake products.
Commenting, a popular X user, Daniel Regha, condemned the act, saying the televisions were not produced in Nigeria but merely rebranded, which he described as even worse.
He wrote, “They are getting a cheap version/brand, and then imprint another brand on the package. Unfortunately, not everyone can tell the difference. This is why it’s good to buy from a trusted distributor or dealer only, and when you get such a device, use the serial numbers to confirm by contacting the brand or via reliable online websites.
“It’s even disturbing how this goes beyond electronics; even pharmaceutical products and foodstuffs are affected. God help us in this country.”
Another user, @YesItsBash, said the fake TVs had been around for a while and it was easy to spot unless the buyer wasn’t familiar.
He wrote, “From the carton you’d know, from the remote you’d know, from the menu you’d know, from the price you’d know. There are too many red flags for you to buy a fake TV thinking it’s original.”?
Source: Punch
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