TRADING standards officers have sent out a strong message to those selling counterfeit goods online that they will face the courts if they don’t stop.

The warning comes after Hartlepool Council received a number of complaints about people selling counterfeit goods on Facebook and other social networking sites.

Popular counterfeit items include “Ugg” Boots, Adidas clothing and Beats Audio headphones.

Neil Harrison, senior trading standards officer, said: “Those people who are currently breaking the law by supplying illegal goods on Facebook and other online sites are subject to the same rules as high street traders.

"Just as you would not expect to see counterfeit goods in shops, they should not be appearing on people’s Facebook pages either.

“We have received a considerable amount of information lately in relation to people who are clearly supplying such goods and those people are currently being investigated.”

Counterfeiting is deemed a “lifestyle offence” meaning that all of the perpetrators’ financial assets can be investigated including property, benefits, vehicles and personal possessions.

Trading standards officers have appealed for anyone with information about counterfeit sellers to call them in confidence on 01429-523362.

Anyone who feels that they have been conned into buying counterfeit or substandard goods can obtain consumer advice from the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 08454 040506.