It takes just seconds to set up sophisticated fake web sites. Those are the claims made by First Cyber Security, the Internet security business. The problem is growing. The number of counterfeit goods seized at UK borders has quadrupled in 10 years. This has been driven largely by web sales. Many sites use links from emails or social networking sites to drive traffic to their sites. Once there, many consumers are caught unaware that products are fake, say Trading Standards. Complaints to Consumer Direct about counterfeit goods rose from 1,900 to 2,800 in the last year.
The Intellectual Property Minister says that the consequences of fake goods are more significant than damage to brands – goods can be dangerous. This month, a teenager was badly burnt after he was electrocuted from hair straighteners that had seemed genuine.
