The Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) yesterday arrested six suspects in Taipei for allegedly manufacturing and selling counterfeit skin care products and food supplements, said the CIB.

The CIB and police from Yilan raided three places in northern Taiwan, seizing fake Complex Placenta Skin Essential from RJ International Group and Oyster and Clam Extract from Taiwan Sugar.

The fake goods totaled more than NT$2 million (S$86,397), police officials said.

The main suspect, Wu Chia-sheng, 42, and his girlfriend, Lin Mei-chen, 30, are believed to have made and packaged the items at their rented residence in Bali, Taipei County, said local reporters.

Another suspect surnamed Chiang then bought the items and had salesmen of his trade company sell them.

The authorities started investigating the case in March after receiving reports about fake goods sold from a trade company, different online stores, night markets and wholesale markets in Taipei and Yilan.

The group earned at least NT$5 million in undue profit from unsuspecting customers, according to the CIB.

Local media also reported that some people suffered diarrhea after consuming fake oyster and clam extracts.

- The China Post/Asia News Network