CCB cracks down on fake wrist watch racket in Bengaluru; 5 held, ₹25 lakh worth counterfeits seized

The Central Crime Branch (CCB) has busted a racket involved in the sale of counterfeit branded watches in the city and have arrested five accused.

The accused — Harish Kumar, Syed Zaid Iqbal, Mohammed Habeeb Hussain, Khaleemullah, and Abdul Rehman — were allegedly selling fake watches under the brand name of Titan Company Ltd.

The police said the accused lured customers by offering so-called “off-rate” or “cheap rate” deals, selling watches worth around ₹5,000 at nearly half the price, claiming that they were original, branded products.

Acting on a complaint filed by the Titan Company, the CCB’s Economic Offences Wing conducted raids in areas such as RT Nagar and Chickpet, where the accused were operating retail outlets. During the operation, the police seized 670 counterfeit watches worth approximately ₹25 lakh.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the accused were selling duplicate watches resembling popular Titan models. The police are now probing the source of the manufacturing and supply of these fake products. A case has been registered, and further investigation is under way.