Scotland Crimestoppers launched a campaign this week to tackle counterfeiting and raise awareness of the more serious links it has to organised crime.
Jim Ferguson – Chair Crimestoppers H&I, Supt Ian Arnott and Gordon Robb – Manager of Trading Standards
With Christmas approaching and the effects of the last recession still hitting hard, there is often a greater temptation to buy fake goods, however few understand the consequences and serious implications behind counterfeiting.
In a recent survey conducted by Scotland Crimestoppers thirty per cent of people questioned said they didn’t know that buying fake goods might fund serious organised crime. Ninety one per cent said they wouldn’t buy a fake good if they knew it would fund criminals or criminal activity. Eighteen per cent of those questioned admitted that they had bought fake goods in the past.
Jim Ferguson, Scotland Crimestoppers Highlands and Island Chairman said: “Christmas is a time when many are trying to find ways to reduce costs. I would urge the public not to be tempted to buy often cheaper fake goods. The consequences are far wider than the simple transaction. It can fund serious crimes such as human trafficking and drug crime which can harm our community.
Anyone with information about counterfeiting should call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use the online anonymous form on www.crimestoppers-uk.org. With the publics help we can make big steps in cracking down on this type of crime across Scotland.”
The campaign is being run with the support of the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency (SCDEA), Home Office, Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT), the Bank of England, Film Distributors Association (FDA) and Pentland.
A dedicated mircrosite – www.fakesfundcrime.org.uk has been produced which has information on each strand of the campaign and information about the serious organised crime links, harmful affects, fraudulent activity and videos.
Kate Johnston, Scotland Crimestoppers National Manager added:
“We are also being supported by the SCDEA on this campaign. I hope that it will be as successful as the Cannabis Cultivations campaign earlier this year which was also with the support of SCDEA. The success of this resulted in 141 people calling the charity in a four week period with information about cannabis cultivations which led to numerous arrest and seizures.”
Supt Ian Arnott, Northern Constabulary’s East Divisional Commander based in Inverness said:
“We are grateful for the support of Crimestoppers in highlighting this issue. Just because the Highlands and Islands have a low rate of crime it does not mean we can be complacent to the possibility of counterfeit goods coming into this area.
The people who sell fake goods are often linked to other types of crime such as the supply of illegal drugs which blight our communities. I would urge anyone with information about people selling fake goods to pass this on to Crimestoppers so we can take action.”
Detective Chief Inspector Ronnie Megaughin, head of Interventions, SCDEA said:
“The significant profits that are generated by counterfeiting benefit no-one other than the criminals behind it. Those who are involved in producing and selling fake goods are very often also responsible for pushing drugs in our communities, forcing people into the sex trade and cultivating cannabis in our neighbourhoods, not to mention the fear intimidation and violence associated with this criminality.
The public have a vital role to play in assisting the authorities in clamping down on these rogue traders. They can refuse to buy these illegal and often unsafe products, and they can anonymously share what they know about the people involved in this crime by contacting Crimestoppers. Even the smallest piece of information can be
the key to unlocking a much larger criminal network.”
Liz Gilchrist Vice Chair of Inverness Crime Prevention Panel added “We as a panel, are very happy to support this initiative. It is good to see all of the prime agencies working together in an effort to stamp out this growing problem”
Dougie McClounie of SCDEA displaying an example of some Counterfeit Goods
Fakes fund crime
Counterfeiters make many different types of fakes. One thing these producers have in common is that they are all criminals.
Organised gangs are increasingly pursuing several different criminal activities at the same time and using the proceeds from each form of crime to invest in the others.
Producing fakes is a crime in itself, but counterfeiting is also sometimes linked to other types of crime including:
- Human trafficking
- Gun and weapon possession
- Drugs
- Money laundering
- Benefit fraud
It was estimated in 2007 that around 70% of the £1.3 billion made from intellectual property crime flowed back to organised crime.
If you buy fakes, the money you spend on them is likely to benefit criminal gangs and could damage the neighbourhood you live in.
More about the crimes linked to fake DVDs, fashion and tobacco.
Help fight fakes
You can help fight fakes by calling charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Tell us who is dealing in fakes. We won’t take your name or ask who you are. We only want to know what you know, not who you are. You can also pass on information anonymously online using our secure online form.
Fake goods harm you
Counterfeiters don’t limit themselves to fake designer handbags and clothing. Electrical products, power tools, food, toys and sports equipment are also faked with potentially dangerous consequences for you as a consumer.
Fake goods are both imported and made here in the UK. Domestic production often takes place in rented office buildings that have been converted into makeshift ‘factories’. The conditions in these factories are often unsafe and unhygienic – this makes the production of fakes dangerous for not only workers but also the end user.
Fake alcohol
Fake alcohol can contain methanol, a chemical that can cause blindness, coma and death. Counterfeit bottles of alcohol often imitate well known brands in an attempt to reassure people that the product is safe.
In May 2009 2,700 bottles of counterfeit vodka were seized from a business park in Haringey, London. There was evidence that large quantities of antifreeze had been used in its manufacture.
Fake beauty products
Fake beauty products often contain sub-standard ingredients that could give you a rash or an allergic reaction. Some bottles of fake perfume have even been found to use ingredients like urine as a stabiliser.
Look out for products sold in packaging featuring spelling or grammatical mistakes. Always buy your beauty products from a trusted source to help keep you safe from fakes.
Fake electronics
Electrical goods sold in the UK are subject to stringent safety testing. Counterfeit electrical goods often sidestep these testing requirements. This means fake electrical goods, including hair straighteners, mobile phones and camera chargers, may contain unsafe wiring that can lead to over-heating, creating risks of fire, electrocution and personal injury. Fake electrical goods may even be labelled with fake certification marks, so you think that they are safe.
Fake toys
Children’s toys are subject to strict safety testing. Counterfeit toys often will not have been tested. As a result fakes could contain small parts that are a choking hazard.
Buying fake goods online puts you at risk of fraud and identity theft.
Fake goods – you’re at risk
Fashion merchandise, DVDs and electrical goods are just some of the types of fakes often purchased online. The people who buy these goods are often unsuspecting and think they are getting a genuine product.
Identity theft and credit card fraud
Entering your debit or credit card details into a website that deals in fakes means that you are essentially giving your card details, your address and your name to criminals.
To ensure your card details remain safe, make sure that you only buy goods online from authorised retailers. Getting a pair of shoes for half price may seem like a quick bargain but now that you know that you’re putting your bank card at risk you’ve got to ask – “Is it really worth it?”
Know your rights
If you buy online from businesses registered in the UK you are legally entitled to return any goods bought within seven days (even if you just change your mind). You are also entitled to return the goods if they are faulty.
If you buy an item and realise it’s a fake, getting a refund can be difficult. Often fakes are sold through websites based outside UK; these websites aren’t subject to the same laws as sites based here.
Shopping online
If you are going to shop online:
Buying from companies registered in the UK can help keep you safe as you’ll have more legal rights.- Try and buy from a brand’s official website or from an authorised seller of the product.
- ‘https’ on the web site address means the site is secure – the ‘s’ in https stands for secure. The padlock on the payment screen is also a mark of security.
- Just because a URL ends in .co.uk doesn’t mean the business is registered in the UK.
- Search web addresses using Who Is – a database of who owns what domain names and where they are based or go to the UK’s register of domain names at www.nominet.org.uk. You can also click on ‘Howard’ the Online Shopping Assistant at www.ukecc.net.
- Always take a copy of the web pages and keep any correspondence as evidence, either electronically or on paper.
- Using a credit card for payments over £100 will also provide extra security.
Fake goods – you’re at risk
Fashion merchandise, DVDs and electrical goods are just some of the types of fakes often purchased online. The people who buy these goods are often unsuspecting and think they are getting a genuine product.
Identity theft and credit card fraud
Entering your debit or credit card details into a website that deals in fakes means that you are essentially giving your card details, your address and your name to criminals.
To ensure your card details remain safe, make sure that you only buy goods online from authorised retailers. Getting a pair of shoes for half price may seem like a quick bargain but now that you know that you’re putting your bank card at risk you’ve got to ask – “Is it really worth it?”
Know your rights
If you buy online from businesses registered in the UK you are legally entitled to return any goods bought within seven days (even if you just change your mind). You are also entitled to return the goods if they are faulty.
If you buy an item and realise it’s a fake, getting a refund can be difficult. Often fakes are sold through websites based outside UK; these websites aren’t subject to the same laws as sites based here.
Shopping online
If you are going to shop online:
- Buying from companies registered in the UK can help keep you safe as you’ll have more legal rights.
- Try and buy from a brand’s official website or from an authorised seller of the product.
- ‘https’ on the web site address means the site is secure – the ‘s’ in https stands for secure. The padlock on the payment screen is also a mark of security.
- Just because a URL ends in .co.uk doesn’t mean the business is registered in the UK.
- Search web addresses using Who Is – a database of who owns what domain names and where they are based or go to the UK’s register of domain names at www.nominet.org.uk. You can also click on ‘Howard’ the Online Shopping Assistant at www.ukecc.net.
- Always take a copy of the web pages and keep any correspondence as evidence, either electronically or on paper.
- Using a credit card for payments over £100 will also provide extra security.
Chair: Jim Ferguson
