Scheme with approximately one million counterfeit Samsung smartphones exposed in Germany

German law enforcement is investigating a massive scheme to sell smartphones that looked virtually identical to Samsung models but were of significantly lower quality. According to preliminary estimates, around one million devices may have been sold through this scheme.

Tagesschau reports this based on a joint investigation by NDR, WDR, and Süddeutsche Zeitung. German authorities have already conducted extensive searches in the case.

Investigators believe that for several years the group sold low-quality or refurbished smartphones as new Samsung devices. The appearance of the devices and packaging was meant to give buyers the impression that they were receiving original new products.

As Süddeutsche Zeitung writes, the main buyers were customers in Germany. The total sales volume is estimated at about one million smartphones.

In addition to possible fraud with the devices, investigators are looking into large-scale tax evasion. According to the journalistic investigation, this involves tens of millions of euros in unpaid taxes.

Law enforcement is still working to determine the exact number of devices sold, the financial flows, and the role of individual participants in the scheme. Therefore, the estimate of about one million smartphones remains preliminary.

Sources: Tagesschau, Süddeutsche Zeitung