London Police’s Intellectual Property Crime Unit burst into a warehouse in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, and walked straight into a livestream. The influencers inside were busy selling counterfeit Nike trainers, clothes and accessories to thousands of viewers on TikTok Shop like it was all legit.
The operation occurred in April 1, 2026. Authorities claim that one of the suspects was arrested while making the pitch. The website was blocked instantaneously.
The authorities seized an enormous number of products 26,849 items ranging from counterfeit sneakers to clothing, socks, handbags, you name it. Counterfeits were estimated to be worth more than £1.16 million ($1.5 million), together with additional £1 million worth of possibly stolen goods. Four 18-ton lorries were required to transport the total amount.
Six people were arrested on suspicion of selling goods with fake trademarks. They’ve been released while the investigation continues.
A tweet from X.
According to police, the operation used influencers to livestream from warehouse setups, showing off massive piles of stock. When viewers asked if the stuff was real, they’d claim it was genuine. The TikTok Shop setup made buying ridiculously easy tap and it’s yours. The streamers earned commission based on sales, so they were hyping it hard with the usual “running out fast” urgency.
Detective Sergeant Jamie Kirk from PIPCU put it bluntly:
“This shows how counterfeit sales have moved from market stalls to apps and online platforms. Influencers are being used to push these fakes to massive audiences. We’re sending a clear message selling counterfeit goods online is illegal, and we will come after you.”
For anyone who hasn’t seen it, TikTok Shop is basically QVC on steroids mixed with the algorithm’s chaos. Livestreams create that “don’t miss out” pressure that gets people buying on impulse. Police say it’s become a huge problem for counterfeits because it reaches so many people so quickly and makes it harder to tell what’s real.
Buyers end up with dodgy quality or even unsafe products, big brands lose money, and the profits often feed organised crime.
This kind of raid shows real police action is happening, not just empty talk. It also highlights the bigger issue: platforms like TikTok ban counterfeits, but sellers keep adapting and enforcement is tough. Operations like this prove the authorities are trying to keep up.
Six people remain under investigation and a mountain of fake gear is now off the streets. In the scroll-and-buy era, if a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is. Might be worth thinking twice before you smash that “Buy Now” button.
