China finds 22 fake Apple stores – in one city

Apple Store

The Chinese authorities have uncovered a staggering 22 fake Apple stores in the city of Kunming.

They were alerted to the problem when pictures circulated on the web of one authentic-looking bogus Apple store. Initially five fake stores were discovered, and now the number has risen to 22.

All of them were unlawfully using Apple's brand and logo.

Chinese officials swung into action after an American living in the city, BirdAbroad, published a blog post describing one of the shops as "a beautiful ripoff".

The owners had gone to great lengths to replicate the layout and design of legitimate Apple stores (as shown above), with staff even wearing the same colour T-shirts and lanyards worn by real Apple staff.

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Andy Clough

Andy is Global Brand Director of What Hi-Fi? and has been a technology journalist for 30 years. During that time he has covered everything from VHS and Betamax, MiniDisc and DCC to CDi, Laserdisc and 3D TV, and any number of other formats that have come and gone. He loves nothing better than a good old format war. Andy edited several hi-fi and home cinema magazines before relaunching whathifi.com in 2008 and helping turn it into the global success it is today. When not listening to music or watching TV, he spends far too much of his time reading about cars he can't afford to buy.