115,000 Illicit Print Cartridges Have Been Removed From Saudi Markets in the Second Half of 2019

SAUDI ARABIA, March 25, 2020 – Alongside the recent seizure of 65,000 counterfeit HP printer cartridges by HP and Saudi authorities in summer 2019, HP and local Saudi authorities have successfully disrupted a further three major sources of illicit product. 

Between October and November 2019, Saudi officials raided a number of undercover facilities assembling fake products located in the Riyadh and Jeddah areas. They were therefore able to confiscate 50,000 products, preventing them from entering Saudi markets.1

“It is our duty to protect consumers and businesses from criminal operations, and we commend the cooperation and commitment of organisations such as HP to combat these illegal activities,” said Mathew Thomas, VP and Managing Director, Middle East, Turkey and East Africa at HP. “HP’s dedication and determination to fight anti-counterfeiting has tremendously contributed to bringing counterfeiters to justice in Saudi Arabia.” 
Counterfeiting is a crime. For users, such illegal imitations can cause a multitude of problems that can cause performance and reliability issues. Should your printer break because of using counterfeit printer ink or toner, you could also have issues with your manufacturer’s warranty becoming not applicable. 

In contrast, original HP products are designed to meet HP’s strict quality and reliability standards, based on a long history of inventing and testing. Original HP LaserJet and HP inkjet cartridges, unlike counterfeits, benefit from outstanding performance and consistent results.

Across EMEA over the last five years, approximately 12 million counterfeits and components have been seized by local authorities, supported by HP. HP has conducted over 4,500 audits and inspections (CPPAs and CDIs) of partners’ stocks or suspicious deliveries for customers. 

Through HP’s Anti-Counterfeiting and Fraud (ACF) Programme, the company actively educates its customers and partners to be vigilant against fake printing supplies. It also cooperates closely with local and global law enforcement authorities to detect and dismantle illegal operations that produce counterfeit HP printing components.