Traditional counterfeiting has targetted the pockets of the poor as well as the wealthy. Sunglasses, perfumes and well-known brand names can all be purchased for bargain prices. Now, however, imitations are turning up among more everyday goods. That's been the experience of one family-owned business from Pietarsaari in western Finland, whose fish nets unexpectedly turned up on production lines in China.
Anssi Karrtila, a senior inspector with the National Customs Board, says counterfeiters are targeting an increasing range of goods. He says the imagination is the only limit to which consumer goods will be faked. Counterfeiting has exploded globally, focusing on so-called lifestyle medicines. In some cases, counterfeit medicines may be just placebos, in others, they may be deadly.
Senior Chemist at the National Agency for Medicines Sami Paaskoski says nowadays counterfeiters are turning out drugs for erectile dysfunction, weight loss, and more recently, doping and narcotic substances for pharmaceuticals.
Kartila adds that a lot of medicines can be ordered on the Internet and these cases are currently engaging the attention of customs officials. On Friday Finnish customs will launch world customs day, in which the dangers of counterfeiting and its connection with the underworld will be brought to the attention of the public.
YLE