"No longer a trivial act": counterfeits finance organized crime and are dangerous for health

The French Manufacturers' Union (Unifab), which brings together 200 companies and professional federations, published an alarming report on Monday highlighting close links between organized crime and counterfeiting . The French anti-counterfeiting association highlights a Europol report that claims dozens of major criminal organizations are actively involved in counterfeiting, including Hezbollah, North Korea, and the Italian mafia.

"Today, buying a counterfeit product is no longer a trivial act; it is financing organized crime, even terrorism," said Delphine Sarfati-Sobreira, director general of Unifab, in Apolline Matin on RMC. She added that "counterfeiting is penetrating all legitimate distribution channels."

Counterfeiting networks have developed techniques to adapt to the global economic market and divert the attention of customs. They now ship "components through several countries to disguise their true origin" and have relocated "production units to the gates of Europe," explains Delphine Sarfati-Sobreira.

For the system to work, according to the latter, "it requires colossal resources, resources held by criminal organizations, which launder the profits from counterfeiting through shell companies and mix counterfeiting with other trafficking, such as drugs or prostitution."

This market is booming. In 2024, more than 21 million counterfeit products were intercepted by French customs, worth an estimated €645 million. That's four times more than in 2020. Between flea markets and online stores, there's no shortage of supply routes.

"For people who don't earn a lot of money, it's good. The last thing I bought was a bag. I had to pay 10% of the price," Tanguy rejoices.

According to a 2023 survey, a third of Europeans consider it acceptable to buy counterfeit goods. The figure even rises to 50% among young people. Some, like Apolline, buy counterfeit goods when they travel abroad. "Typically Vietnam or the Asian countries I've visited," Apolline admits.

The latter, however, avoids cosmetic products. "It makes me extremely uncomfortable. I don't know how they were made, it doesn't give me confidence," argues Apolline. These products can indeed pose health risks.

"There are perfumes that cause third- or fourth-degree burns," assures MoDem MP Christophe Blanchet, president of the National Anti-Counterfeiting Committee.

"For 10% of the price, you get 10% of the product. I tell consumers: 'Buy a better quality product that isn't a counterfeit because it will be more durable, and you won't take any risks for your safety,'" adds Delphine Sarfati-Sobreira. "These products are dangerous; they contain lead and mercury; they are not recyclable."

The MoDem representative also denounced the harm that "these organized criminal networks" cause to French society. They "undermine both the economy and the social model because 26,000 jobs are destroyed in France each year due to counterfeiting." According to him, counterfeiting represents nearly €10 billion less in state coffers each year.