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Hard core criminals have turned
to selling counterfeit merchandise ....
The public’s perception
that counterfeiters are just some “poor guy trying to make a living” is wrong. The IC Team has been included
in several cases where counterfeit goods were being sold by convicted murderers, drug
dealers, rapists, and child molesters.
Hard core criminals have turned
to selling counterfeit merchandise because the penalties are much lighter than those for such traditional crimes; such as,
drug dealing and robbery. The profits from the sales of counterfeit merchandise are equal to the profits
that can be made from dealing drugs or other crimes. Because of this, there has been a huge increase in known
gang members becoming involved in the sales of counterfeit and pirated merchandise. This has become the common place on the
streets of Los Angeles.
Law Enforcement has arrested several
individuals, who during the interview process have told them that they turned to selling counterfeit and pirated merchandise
because they could make just as much money as selling drugs. As a two-time convicted felon told police, “ain’t
no one going to prison for selling dvds.”
It is not only local street gangs
that are involved in counterfeiting and piracy. The larger criminal and terrorist organizations,
such as Hezbollah, Al Qaeda, BTK, and the Triads, have also been known to sell and distribute counterfeit merchandise to raise
funds for their causes.
Investigative
Consulatants
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According to the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition (IACC), about 18 percent
of the $98 million of counterfeit products seized by U.S. Customs were made up of fashion related items: apparel, sunglasses,
watches, handbags and headwear.
* Counterfeiting robs the U.S. alone of more than $200 billion a year. It's a cash, tax-free business; legitimate citizens
get stuck paying taxes, while counterfeiters line their pockets at your expense.
* Terrorists, gangs and organized crime syndicates all profit from selling counterfeit merchandise. There is evidence
that the bombing of the World Trade Center in 1993 was funded by the sale of counterfeit goods.
The federal government has tightened its belt on counterfeiting since September 11, 2001, and this year President Bush
signed HR 32, the "Stop the Counterfeiting in Manufactured Goods Act," the most aggressive anti-counterfeiting legislation
in more than 20 years. Highlights include: mandatory forfeiture, restitution and up to 20 years in prison and $15 million
in fines for repeat offenders. It also closes a loophole that allowed counterfeiters to import counterfeit goods and their
labels separately.
Naples Sun Times
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