65M RUB Counterfeit Textbooks Seized in Southern Russia
Official representative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, Irina Volk, reported in her channel in Mah that underground printing presses producing counterfeit educational literature for schoolchildren were shut down in the Rostov region and Dagestan.
Consensus
- Four underground printing presses were discovered in Rostov Oblast and Dagestan.
- The counterfeit textbooks were produced without authorization from AO 'Izdatelstvo Prosveshchenie'.
- The fake books were sold through major online marketplaces and specialized e-commerce platforms.
- More than 20,000 counterfeit textbooks were seized during raids.
- 74 pallets of counterfeit products were found.
- Computer equipment and other evidence were confiscated.
- Twelve suspects were detained and gave confessions.
- Three organizers were charged and released under bail (signature of non-exit and proper conduct).
- The damage to the rights holder was estimated at over 65 million rubles.
- An investigation is ongoing to identify all participants in the scheme.
- The case is being prosecuted under Part 2 of Article 180 of the Russian Criminal Code.
Points of divergence
- The counterfeit textbooks were produced for schoolchildren. — interfax
- The police believe the counterfeit products may be potentially dangerous to students' health, though no expert data is provided. — fontanka
- The number of counterfeit books seized was over 21,000. — fontanka
Coverage (2 sources)
- Counterfeit textbooks worth 65 million rubles found in several regions of southern Russia — Интерфакс
- Fake textbooks for 65 million sold through marketplaces — Фонтанка