Counterfeiting
worldwide nets $56,173,026 in August!
Released
on = September 3, 2004, 1:06 pm
Press Release
Author = Gieschen Consultancy
Press Release
Summary = During the month of August, counterfeiting worldwide nets
$56,173,026 with China accounting for more than 61% of all seizures
and losses, followed by the United Kingdom (15%) and India (9%)
as surveyed by Gieschen Consultancy.
Press Release
Body = Friday September 3, 2004 -- Calgary, Canada -- Based on the
past month of counterfeit enforcement activity, as reported through
the DOPIP Security Competitive Intelligence Report, more than 169
incidents were analyzed. It was found that for each crime the estimated
losses were $332,385, involved 9 individuals and the seizure of
48,392 counterfeit items. Overall the results indicate that 1,472
individuals from 36 countries, accounted for the seizure of
8,178,480 counterfeit items worth more than $56,173,026.
The variety of counterfeit items seized included more than 135 categories,
with currency as the most popular item to counterfeit (20.4%), followed
by digital media such as CDs, DVDs, and VCDs (13.6%), drivers licenses
(5.5%), passports (5.1%), credit cards (4.4%), and cheques (3.6%).
83% of the counterfeit enforcement activity for this period focused
on raids, seizures and arrests. The remaining activity was directed
towards investigations (8%), charges (3%), convictions (2%), and
sentencing (4%).
In summarizing the months activity, Glen Gieschen, Managing Director
of Gieschen
Consultancy stated "overall, most of the activity during the
summer has been
anticipated. Busy summer retailers such as fast food outlets and
malls are favourite targets of criminals seeking to launder their
counterfeit currency due to the pressures on staff to reduce lines
at checkouts. The summer also provides an opportunity to sell counterfeit
merchandise at seasonal markets and outdoor
locations such as concerts and sporting events where it is easy
for counterfeiters to set up booths or mobile stores. The activity
which appears to be strengthening is counterfeit identification,
such as passports and drivers licenses, which are being widely used
by criminals and terrorists for illegal entry into countries, proof
of citizenship to obtain other official documents and financial
benefits (such
as welfare, cashing counterfeit cheques or illegally obtaining credit),
along with a
variety of identity theft schemes.
A positive development
in the prevention of counterfeit activity were raids on several
high volume print manufacturing locations in India, South Africa,
Ireland, Bulgaria, Latvia, and Columbia which produced currencies,
packaging and brand name goods. The loss of sophisticated and expensive
equipment will temporarily dent the local supply and provide a deterrent
against setting up such large and fixed operations in the future."
Further results
are as follows:
· 169
Incidents of Counterfeiting activity (investigations, raids, seizures,
arrests, charges, sentences), involving 1,472 individuals, including
seizures of 8,178,480 items at an estimated loss value of $56,173,026
related 135 categories.
The most popular items counterfeited include birth certificates,
CDs, checks, cheques, cigarettes, clothing, computer games, credit
cards, currency (Australia, British, China, Euro, India, Malaysia,
Malta, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, South Africa, and US), drivers
licenses, DVDs, fertilizer, films, identification, identity cards,
identity documents, immigration stamps, jewelry, medicine, music,
passports
(Canada, Taiwan, UK, US), prescription drugs, purses, shoes, social
security cards, software, VCDs, vehicle inspection stickers, visas
and watches.
Activity by
top 7 countries:
1. China, $4,713,571
per incident. 7 incidents and seizure/losses of $32,995,000.
2. Russia, $1,000,000 per incident. 1 incident and seizure/losses
of more than $1,000,000.
3. Philippines, $726,667 per incident. 3 incidents and seizure/losses
of $2,180,000.
4. United Kingdom, $542,437 per incident. 15 incidents and seizure/losses
of $8,136,550.
5. India, $291,179 per incident. 17 incidents and seizure/losses
of $4,950,040.
6. Malaysia, $263,522 per incident. 10 incidents and seizure/losses
of $2,635,223.
7. United States, $32,179 per incident. 66 incidents and seizure/losses
of $2,124,478.
· Counterfeit
methods reported include the use of sophisticated printing and hologram
machinery imported from China, DVD burners, illegal Internet services,
product molds, acid washing of currency, graphic design computers
colour scanners and printers, CD duplicating and production equipment,
check writing programs, laminating machinery, printer/scanner/copiers,
silver tape, electric pressing machinery, skimming and card making
equipment, file sharing programs, high quality
copiers, laptop computers, digital cameras, ultraviolet lights,
blank barcode material, printing inks, replicating machines, screen
printing equipment, multi-drive CD burning stacks, schemer machines,
and use the Internet to find out how to counterfeit ID.
· 70
Brands/owners identified, the most popular being Adidas, Coach,
Ferrari, Louis
Vuitton, Microsoft, Nike, Philips, and Surya Roshini.
· Counterfeit activity from 36 Countries (Australia, Bangladesh,
China, Ethiopia,
Finland, Guyana, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Kenya,
Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New
Guinea, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain,
Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, UAE, UK, USA, Venezuela, Vietnam and
Zimbabwe)
About DOPIP
SCI Reports
DOPIP is a powerful source of information regarding illegal activities
such as
counterfeiting, forgery, product tampering and diversion. It provides
breaking news reports and analysis relating to document, product
and intellectual product security. Security technology providers,
enforcement agencies, trade organizations, and brand owners will
find this information indispensable for detection, deterrence and
prevention. DOPIP SCI Reports is available as an annual subscription
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USD.
For more information visit http://www.goldsec.com/Security_Updates.htm.
About Gieschen Consultancy
Gieschen Consultancy, is a trusted provider of in-depth information,
analysis and reporting for the document, product and intellectual
property security industry. Gieschen Consultancy applies more than
10 years security experience to assist clients in developing anti-counterfeiting,
brand protection and enforcement solutions. Through the knowledge
of security technology, criminal Modus Operandi (methods of operation),
legal and political issues, statistical information and competitive
intelligence, effective strategies are developed, implemented and
monitored.
Web Site = http://www.gieschen.com/
Contact Details
= Glen Gieschen
Managing Director
Gieschen Consultancy
Glen@Gieschen.com
www.Gieschen.com
Phone 403-256-5680
Calgary, Alberta
CANADA
2009
