Maids' Sunday side business on weekends against the law

Some selling fake branded goods, banned contraceptives and slimming products at rented spaces in Lucky Plaza

Counterfeit apparel of famous brands such as Adidas, Under Armour and Levi's being sold outside a fourth-storey shop at Lucky Plaza. Those found guilty of distributing goods with falsely applied trademarks for the purpose of trade can be jailed up to
Counterfeit apparel of famous brands such as Adidas, Under Armour and Levi's being sold outside a fourth-storey shop at Lucky Plaza. Those found guilty of distributing goods with falsely applied trademarks for the purpose of trade can be jailed up to five years, fined up to $100,000, or both. PHOTO: ST READER
In a small, cramped shop, a weekend entrepreneur was cajoling a customer to buy two "Longchamp" handbags in different colours.
In a small, cramped shop, a weekend entrepreneur was cajoling a customer to buy two "Longchamp" handbags in different colours. ST PHOTO: CALVIN YANG
Unregistered slimming pills on sale. One seller admits that what the maids are doing is wrong but says they just want to earn extra money.
Unregistered slimming pills on sale. One seller admits that what the maids are doing is wrong but says they just want to earn extra money. PHOTO: ST READER
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They perform domestic chores for their employers on weekdays. But on weekends, they are their own bosses - selling counterfeit luxury handbags, unsafe slimming pills and prescription-only contraceptives.

At least 10 maids are using the shop spaces of Lucky Plaza retailers to peddle their illegal wares on their days off, checks by The Straits Times have found. And over 100 more are doing so online.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on June 18, 2019, with the headline Maids' Sunday side business on weekends against the law. Subscribe