Crystal Harrison, STAR Writer

Several merchants are making a killing from selling fake defective 'BlackBerry' mobile phones in downtown Kingston, THE WEEKEND STAR has learnt.

The fake phones which carry the 'BlackBerry' logo, closely resemble the original, except they do not have all the features of the original product, THE WEEKEND STAR understands.

When checks were made at some of the stores where the phones were said to be sold, they were going for between $14,000 and $16,000. But some customers have complained that they only realise that the phone are not really Blackberry and are defective, after using it for a while. Many have reported that it is only upon returning the instuments that they are told that they were sold with the defects but they have already been purchased.

"Dem shut down every minute, one women said of the phones. "Any little thing happen dem stop work and dem caan fix."

Another person familiar with the fakes phones said: "Dem look like the original one, it's just that they do not have the BlackBerry messenger feature".

It is understood that some of the merchants have told the disappointed customers that even the Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) are aware that they are selling the fakephones with the defects.

defective phones

The CAC has, however, denied this and have warned people against buying these defective phones.

CAC Regional Officer Richard Rowe said the commission has received quite a number of complaints from consumers who have purchased the fake phones. He said the agency was shocked that the vendors are telling customers that the CAC knows they are selling the phones with defects.

"At this time I could not give you the figures, but since recently we have received a number of complaints. What I found alarming is that these vendors are telling the consumers that it doesn't make sense they go to the CAC, one vendor even went as far as to tell a consumer that he knows me very well and from time to time we have drinks."

According to Rowe, consumers mainly complain about touch-screen phones and the keypads. "One vendor told me that he is not offering any redress because they were not given warranty from the manufacturers."

But a representative at one of the merchants said: "We do not give warranty on phones because as customers drop them, they bring them back to say that the phones are not working". The CAC said the agency is working towards a public education campaign. However, at this time they do not have the authority to confiscate the phones from the vendors."

Police were not sure if there were anything criminally wrong with the selling of the phones but said it may seem more a civil matter.

If action is to be taken, the police said the Court or the Director of Public Prosecutions, would have to be consulted.