Fake goods make £1.3 billion for criminals every year
22 November 2010
Serious and organised criminals are increasingly involved in the trading of counterfeit goods, the charity Crimestoppers has warned.
The products themselves – including luxury goods, toys, DVDs and CDs and even power tools - may seem to be the real deal. They can also seem a bargain, especially in the run up to Christmas. However many are potentially dangerous, and the money they bring in supports other serious organised crime that can impact on all our communities.
SOCA has teamed up with Crimestoppers to promote the Fakes Fund Crime campaign and squash the myth that counterfeiting is a harmless enterprise. In reality it is often run by international, highly organised and extremely profitable crime networks which are also involved in weapons trafficking, prostitution, drug smuggling and people smuggling. A recent review suggested that the criminal gain from counterfeiting in the UK was worth £1.3 billion every year.
Crimestoppers is asking the public to get in touch with information about anyone who is making and selling fakes. Lord Ashcroft, KCMG, Founder and Chair of Crimestoppers, said:
“I would strongly urge anyone with any information about counterfeiting to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use our online anonymous form on www.crimestoppers-uk.org. With the public’s help we can make big steps in cracking down on this type of crime.”
A recent You Gov survey found that 24 per cent of adults have knowingly bought a fake DVD, yet 56 per cent said they would not buy a product they knew was fake and could fund crimes such as human trafficking.
James Brokenshire, the Minister for Crime Prevention, said:
"Human trafficking and drug smuggling are appalling crimes where people are treated as commodities and exploited for criminal gain. It is clear from these figures that the public can be unaware of the link between buying fake goods and more serious organised criminal activity."
SOCA’s Andy Baker said:
"Counterfeiting is too often seen as have-a-go entrepreneurship when in reality there is a link to serious organised crime impacting on communities. We want this Crimestoppers campaign to help people understand that connection and know that through their own actions they can influence what happens on their doorsteps."
The campaign has the support of a number of other high profile partner agencies including the Home Office, Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT), Bank of England, the Film Distributors Association (FDA), and The Pentland Group which represents brand names including Lacoste.
For more information about counterfeiting and how to spot a fake, visit the Fakes Fund Crime campaign website.
For more about Crimestoppers, or to make an anonymous report, visit their website.