Counterfeit Goods

Most often advertising "replica" name-brand watches but nearly every consumer good has been noted from electronics to clothing to jewelry. There is a non-junk mail component to the counterfeiting world that involves fake credit cards, currency, checks and other negotiable items.

Counterfeits are usually produced by organized criminal groups. Purchases of these goods can fund other criminal activities down the line like narcotics, human smuggling, weapons sales and terrorism. Fake products are often manufactured in "sweatshop" or slavery-like conditions, including child labor and possibly prison labor. Some fake products have been known to explode or poison users. Global illicit traffic is now a $600 Billion industry, representing 7-9% of all global trade, a considerable increase from previous decades. This increase is being partially driven by the growth in Internet commerce and electronic fraud.

Trying to get a refund, replacement or any kind of customer service for one of these items is impossible. If the items are stolen rather than faux the purchaser is part of the crime. People may cynically think: "Who cares? Fendi and Louis Viton over-charge for handbags, I'm not hurting anyone by buying a knock-off." Wrong. "It’s cheap for a reason. It’s cheap because it’s probably been made by someone who’s exploited, indentured servant or even child labor..." (tillekeandgibbins.com/Publications/pdf/dark_underbelly_counterfeit_handbags.pdf). If you are concerned about the quality and lifespan of a product it just isn't there with counterfeit goods.

Scope of Global IP Piracy and Counterfeiting Problem (ogc.doc.gov)

• Watches
• Jewerly
• Pens
• Prescription Drugs
• Electronics

Send the junk mail to fake@coldrain.net

Resources and Information

Samples and Cases