Albox market stall linked to 5,500-item fake sportswear haul

Business cards handed out at a weekly market led shoppers to social media profiles, messaging apps and an online catalogue full of counterfeit sportswear items. Police say the payment account behind the sales received €463,247 in credits over just over two years.

How a sports brand complaint exposed the sales trail

The investigation began after an international sports brand reported that imitation versions of its products were being offered through a social media profile. Posts included a telephone number for orders and bank details for payment. The Policía Nacional’s financial and economic crime unit, known in Spain as UDEF, then identified the holder of the account and examined how the sales operation worked.

Police say the suspect used his own website and several social media accounts, with orders largely handled through instant-messaging apps. That combination of street trading and online sales became the focus of Operación Chándales.

Market cards kept customers ordering online

The online catalogue was promoted in person at street markets in Albox and nearby towns. According to police, cards carrying the relevant contact details and links were handed to customers so they could browse and order again later. 

Albox Local Police helped monitor the market activity, locate properties linked to the investigation and guard the goods once seized. Officers said they saw the suspect selling sports clothing at the Albox market and established that a property in La Molata was being used as a warehouse.

The operation concluded on June 23. Inside the property, police seized 92 packages containing 5,500 shirts, tracksuits, football kits and pairs of trainers carrying 23 different brand names.

More than €463,000 flowed into their account

Police analysed the account used for customer payments and found €463,247 in credits during 2024, 2025 and the first ten days of 2026. The money arrived through bank transfers, PayPal, Bizum, cash deposits and transactions linked to commercial invoicing.

That figure is the total amount police say entered the account during the period. It has not been presented as the suspect’s profit. Police also identified more than €39,000 in transfers to two companies in China. Investigators described those overseas payments as consistent with the purchase of textiles for resale. 

The case now rests with Huércal-Overa court

A 31-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of an offence against industrial property rights and released after giving a statement, with a requirement to appear before the judicial authorities if summoned.

The case has been sent to the Civil and Investigating Section of the Court of Instance in Huércal-Overa. The Policía Nacional has also asked a judge to close the social media profiles used in the alleged operation.