Anatel seals used to sell fake cell phones

The Federal Police arrested five women at São Paulo International Airport, in Guarulhos, who were boarding a flight to China bound for Shanghai, the largest city in the Asian country.

The suspects were carrying in their luggage a package of stamps from the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel), used to certify electronic devices. The seizure included “thousands of original stamps,” complete with serial numbers and embossing.

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Anatel seals were used to sell illegal products

According to information from Jornal da Record, the printing company approved by Anatel, responsible for printing the stamps, confirmed that the sale was made to a “company also approved in the capital of São Paulo.” The printing company guaranteed that the entire transaction was carried out regularly, which raises suspicions about the diversion of these stamps.

Investigations indicate that the seals were used to provide false Anatel certification for electronic devices entering Brazil. Luiz Carneiro, director of the Brazilian Electrical Industry Association, revealed that these devices are imported from China to Paraguay, and then enter Brazil via Paraguay. He also revealed that most of them are sold through marketplaces, but many can also be found in physical electronics stores.

These devices, when they receive the counterfeit seals, would be sold as if they were legal. This way, criminals avoid paying taxes and having to go through crucial procedures, such as safety tests for radiation emissions. This is because Anatel certification with the real seal is granted after tests that prove not only the quality of the device, but also the safety of the consumer.

Anatel measures and consequences

The practice of using fake seals to certify irregular electronics is not an isolated problem. A recent survey by the Brazilian Electrical and Electronic Industry Association (Abinee) revealed that 25% of cell phones sold in Brazil are acquired irregularly.

This means that one in four devices on the market comes from the so-called “grey market”, made up of devices purchased from marketplaces or stores that are not official representatives of the brands.

Anatel has stepped up its efforts to combat the sale of illegal devices. In recent months, the agency has issued orders for major digital platforms such as Amazon and Mercado Livre to remove advertisements for non-approved devices.

This campaign is developing and could culminate in legal disputes, as these practices not only affect fair competition but also put consumer safety at risk.

Source: Record Newspaper