Counterfeit goods crackdown sees 2,500 websites shut down

The sites promised authentic designer goods such as Gucci products, GHD hair straighteners, Ugg boots and Hollister clothing. But customers were left short-changed as the items were either poor quality counterfeits or were never delivered.

The police intellectual property crime unit (Pipcu) was launched by City of London police last September and the number of websites suspended by the unit was announced to coincide with World Intellectual Property Day.

DCI Andy Fyfe, head of Pipcu, said: “The fact Pipcu can announce on World IP Day that in the eight months since launching we have suspended more than 2,500 infringing websites is further evidence of the expertise of our officers and the level of their commitment to clamp down on IP crime. Behind many of these websites lies an organised crime gang funnelling off the money spent by unsuspecting customers on what they think are quality products.

“Consumers also need to be aware that by accessing websites like this they are running the risk of their personal details being compromised and being used for other fraudulent scams, as well as exposing their computer to malicious malware.”

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Source: The Guardian 28 April 2014

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