Andorra Police Detain Two Portuguese Men for Selling €10K Counterfeit Tools
Authorities arrested the non-residents after a business complaint, seizing 25 suitcases of fake premium-branded tools plus labeling materials worth €10,000. One has prior offenses in Spain.
Key Points
- Two men, aged 41 and 49, arrested in La Massana for defrauding five local businesses with counterfeit tools.
- Suspects repaid €3,950 in losses to avoid pre-trial detention; police seized €10,000 worth of fake gear.
- Tools sourced from China, relabeled to mimic premium brands; posed as firm employees offering deep discounts.
- One suspect has prior fraud offenses in Spain; investigation ongoing for more victims.
Police in Andorra arrested two Portuguese men, aged 41 and 49, last Friday midday in La Massana for selling counterfeit tools branded to mimic premium makes like Bosch and Makita to local construction-related businesses. The pair avoided pre-trial detention after voluntarily repaying the €3,950 in reported losses to five affected firms before the duty judge.
The victims included a joinery, two locksmith shops, a mechanics workshop, and a tyre sales and fitting garage, primarily in Andorra la Vella and La Massana. The suspects had arrived in Andorra on 9 September, entering and exiting the country while staying in various hotels where they stored suitcases of fake-labelled tools. They sourced mostly low-end items online from China, then applied adhesive labels, stickers, glue, and other materials to pass them off as high-end products.
Posing as employees from construction or locksmith firms, the men offered deep discounts—such as three suitcases for the price of one, around €1,250-1,300—claiming the tools were surplus stock or undeclared at customs, forcing a quick sale. Audio messages sent to potential buyers showed their urgency. While five businesses bought the items, others declined after spotting issues or ignoring the offers. One major firm quickly identified the poor quality and alerted police, prompting the investigation.
Officers stopped the suspects' vehicle, searched a second rented car and their hotel rooms, and seized 25 suitcases of counterfeit drills, angle grinders, hammers, and similar gear, plus labelling materials. The total haul was valued at €10,000 if sold as genuine, with no invoices or customs documents. One man has prior similar offences in Spain.
Prosecutors pushed for prison on charges of aggravated fraud and pre-trial custody at La Comella, but the defence classified it as simple fraud. Sources indicate the defence urged repayment, which the men arranged to secure provisional release without conditions. Police continue probing for additional victims, noting business cards targeting other firms found in the seizure.
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