Fake designer goods fund crime gangs, terrorists, says Aussie border force

Fake designer goods flooding into Australia could also be bankrolling crime from terrorism to slavery. See what’s in demand in Australia.

Fake designer products seized by Australian Border Force. Picture: Supplied

Fake Louis Vuitton hand bags and other counterfeit copies of coveted designer accessories are among the most popular of $45 million worth of illegally imported goods seized by Australian Border Force officials in the past year.

Handbags were by far the most common of the pirated goods grabbed at the border, followed by mobile phones and accessories, car parts and accessories, clothing, shoes, DVDs, watches and toys.

More than 4066 shipments of suspected counterfeit goods totalling almost 380,643 individual items, with an estimated value of more than $45,337,032.95 were seized in air cargo, shipments and from inbound passengers.

An ABF spokeswoman said there was a misleading perception that counterfeit goods simply meant fake expensive handbags and knock-off sneakers, and there was a tendency to view these as harmless, or victimless crimes.

Fake designer products including handbags make up most of the pirated products seized. Pictures: Supplied

But, she said, buying counterfeit items could not only result in receipt of flawed and potentially dangerous products, but it could also support an illegal trade and potentially serious criminal activity.

“There is increasing evidence indicating global trade in counterfeit goods is being used to fund organised crime, including terrorism, as counterfeits are seen to be a low-risk, high-return venture,” she said.

“Criminal operations may also involve the exploitation of vulnerable workers, including victims of modern slavery, to produce counterfeit goods.”

Law enforcement experts say funds from the organised crime operations can be used to finance other offences, including drug smuggling and illegal weapons.

Fake designer products including handbags, belts and accessories make up most of the pirated products seized. Pictures: Supplied

Counterfeit goods, such as fake cosmetics and health products can pose serious health and safety risks.

In Australia, fake goods are being sold at covert black-market shops but more and more they are also being sold online.

Louis Vuitton’s Director for Intellectual Property (Asia Pacific), Mr Mayank Vaid, said in the past financial year, the ABF had more than doubled its seizure figures, just for Louis Vuitton products.

Overall, since the pandemic, implementation of lockdowns and increase in online shopping, there has been a threefold rise in the number of detection of counterfeit designer products at the border.

The ABF also reported increasing numbers of more sinister and dangerous seizures such as the paracord bracelet – an innocuous looking wrist band which contains a dangerous hidden knife.

Compliance officers reported an upturn in prohibited weapons seized, including butterfly knives, cross bows, throwing axes, throwing knives, extendible batons, and nunchakus.

And there has been a more than seven-fold increase in banned pronged dog collars found compared to the previous 12 months, up from 56 to 477. The majority of intercepted consignments are of single collars. The banned collars which are inhumane, were detected by ABF officers in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth during the past 12 months.

The ABF also served 102 infringement notices, totalling $902,918, for imported products containing asbestos.