A FRAUDSTER who made money selling counterfeit Nike trainers and Ralph Lauren tracksuits on eBay has been ordered to pay back £36,570.

Burnley magistrates heard 30-year-old Shakeel Razzaq regularly sold counterfeit goods from his home in Smith Street, Nelson.

The con only came to light when a parcel destined for Razzaq ripped and revealed a number of counterfeit clothing labels.

Prosecuting, Jack Troup said: "Lancashire County Council Trading Standards Service were contacted in July 2017 by the parcel courier service DPD. They reported that a parcel had been broken open in their Preston depot, it appeared to contain a number of clothing labels which they suspected could be counterfeit.

"Trading Standards officers arranged with DPD for a controlled delivery to take place at Smith Street, Nelson. The parcel was originally marked for Mr Arshad at that address. Officers observed the delivery, the defendant signed for the parcel with the signature 'S Ali'. Shortly after the parcel was taken inside officers approached the address and spoke to the defendant.

"The parcel was seized from within the property and a search was carried out. Officers discovered four pairs of Nike trainers which were also seized along with a mobile phone and the defendant’s laptop.

"The parcel was found to contain 6,250 tags and labels bearing the trade marks for Polo Ralph Lauren, Stone Island, Fred Perry, North Face and Lacoste. These items have all been confirmed as counterfeit by their Trade Mark representatives."

Enquiries made with DPD show that three earlier deliveries had been made to the defendant’s address under the name Mr Arshad. They were signed for by Akhtar S, Ashraf M and Arshad A, respectively.

The laptop seized from Razzaq’s house was forensically examined and details of the eBay account 0125King were discovered.

Mr Troup said: "Examination of the seller history shows that the defendant has been regularly selling Ralph Lauren tracksuits for between £40 and £50. Genuine tracksuits have a recommended retail price of £250. Nike Trainers were also being sold by the defendant for between £26 and £59. Genuine pairs of trainers have a RRP of £95.

"The defendant’s laptop was also found to contain numerous images of plain unbranded clothing, as well as branded items from Nike, Stone Island, Emporio Armani and Michael Kors."

Razzaq was convicted of six offences under the Trademark Act.

He was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, and told to pay £5,791 in prosecution costs. He must complete 250 hours' unpaid work and pay a £115 victim surcharge.