NINE suspects have been detained on suspicion of producing and selling 230 million yuan (US$34 million) worth of fake Gundam models since January last year, police said yesterday.

Changning District police said they started their investigation after receiving a report in July from the Japanese toy maker which holds the Gundam copyright.

The duplicates were sold online and in shops in Shanghai, Zhejiang and Guangdong provinces at roughly half the price of the originals. They were manufactured in Shantou City, Guangdong, and then packed in Zhangzhou, Fujian Province.

The suspects were detained in raids on August 16. During the raid, police found another 56,000 fakes.