Leader of large-scale ring selling fake golf equipment pleads guilty

FAIRHAVEN, Mass. -- The ringleader of a wide-ranging criminal conspiracy involving the sale of counterfeit golf equipment has pled guilty to various charges, including conspiracy and counterfeiting, in a London court, officials at the Acushnet Co., have announced.

Gary Bellchambers, and eight other defendants, were charged with various crimes, including counterfeiting and conspiracy after the local Trading Standards office conducted an investigation into their fraudulent eBay business. The counterfeiting activities included the sale of potentially millions of dollars worth of fake golf equipment.

Bellchambers, 45, will be sentenced in the near future. Two of his co-conspirators, Keith Thomas, 49, and Chris Moughton, 56, also admitted guilt, while six other defendants are currently on trial in Snaresbrook Crown Court in London.

According to an eBay official, this is one of the largest counterfeit products conspiracies discovered on their Web site.

Acushnet, which is comprised of the Titleist, FootJoy and Cobra brands, maintains a constant presence online by monitoring the multitude of platforms where unauthorized sellers offer their products. In 2006, Acushnet detected several sellers located in the London borough of Havering on eBay, conducted an internal investigation, and alerted local law enforcement.

Coupled with a consumer complaint, the law enforcement officials took an interest in the case and uncovered a network that extended beyond the borders of the United Kingdom into several other countries, including Australia, China, Germany, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand and the United States.

"This is an historic case not only for the golf manufacturers, but for all brand owners who must combat the increasing global problem of online counterfeit products," said Acushnet Trademark Manager Lisa Rogan. "The sale of fake and unauthorized golf products damages the reputation of our brands and impacts our customers around the world. We have a worldwide team of associates who aggressively attack this growing issue, and we will continue our vigilant commitment to protect our brands and customers by continuously monitoring internet sales and websites."

Over the past several years, Acushnet has alerted federal and local authorities around the globe about counterfeits and the unauthorized sale of Acushnet-branded products, resulting in dozens of arrests and convictions, as well as the removal of millions of dollars worth of counterfeit product from commerce.

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