Thousands of fake key fobs seized from Truro man’s home

A fake Bentley key fob. A counterfeit Jaguar badge. A Range Rover badge that was never within a hundred miles of a real Range Rover. These were among the items pictured after Trading Standards officers finished searching a house in Truro, the end point of an operation that had been running from that address for two years.

A two-year operation sold through online marketplaces

Cornwall Council’s Trading Standards team investigated Guy Johnson, of Chyvelah Ope, Truro, who traded through accounts known as Express Key Fobs. He pleaded guilty to offences relating to the sale of counterfeit car key fobs and trademark infringement under the Trade Mark Act 1994, committed between September 2021 and September 2023.

The investigation found that Johnson had been selling counterfeit vehicle key fobs bearing the trademarks of major manufacturers, including Ford, Jaguar Land Rover, BMW, Volkswagen and Stellantis brands, through online marketplaces. The whole operation was run from his home address.

Thousands of items seized in a Truro raid

Trading Standards officers executed a warrant at Guy’s home in September 2023. They seized thousands of counterfeit items, including key fobs and trademark badges that had been intended for sale.

A £676,000 hit to manufacturers

His Honour Judge Simon Carr determined that Guy had caused a loss to the vehicle manufacturers of approximately £676,000.

Sentencing at Truro Crown Court

Guy, 56, appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentencing on Wednesday, August 26. Judge Carr described the offending as “extremely serious” and sentenced him to 15 months in prison for each of the seven charges, to run concurrently, suspended for two years.

Councillor Thalia Marrington, Cornwall Council’s cabinet member responsible for Community Safety and Public Health, said the outcome sends a clear message that counterfeit goods and fraudulent trading will not be tolerated in Cornwall.

“The scale and duration of this offending was significant, with counterfeit goods being sold online over a number of years,” she said. “Counterfeiting undermines reputable businesses and damages consumer confidence. Our Trading Standards team will take robust action against traders who engage in this type of criminal activity.”