GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WXYZ) — Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Monday an investigation into the Grand Rapids-based importer company Kooz Concepts International Inc., for allegedly mislabeling face masks during the virus pandemic.
The importer is allegedly selling counterfeit or misleadingly-labeled personal protective equipment (PPE) to consumers, including multiple nursing homes, according to Nessel's office.
Customer complaints have also been made against the company for its role in another company's price gouging practices.
The importer has been subpoenaed by the state. The subpoenas will be used to investigate Kooz Concepts’ business practices through sales records and other documentation, as well as testimony from Kooz Concepts’ employees engaged in the company’s operations and from other related entities identified during the investigation, Nessel's office said.
“As my office becomes more aware of counterfeit masks being marketed and sold as products that offer more protection than they actually do, there is a growing demand for consumers to take their own precautions to make sure the equipment they are buying is not a knock-off,” Nessel said. “As Michigan works through our COVID-19 situation, scammers and con-artists will attempt to dupe unsuspecting victims into buying lower-grade, poorer-quality products under the false promise of security and protection from this virus. They are putting lives at risk, and they will answer for such lawlessness.”
Nessel said that Kooz is likely is likely in violation of the Michigan Consumer Protection Act for causing confusion among customers about its goods.
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