Ep 2. The Business of Counterfeit Goods

Crime Inc. Season 1 Episode 2: The Business of Counterfeit Goods

In this episode of Crime Inc, we delve into the world of counterfeit goods and the surprisingly complex network of criminals involved in their production. The episode opens with a shocking statistic: the global counterfeit goods market is worth over $450 billion, with everything from luxury handbags to prescription drugs being counterfeited and sold to unsuspecting customers.

We meet John Anderson, a former undercover agent with the US Department of Homeland Security Investigations department. Anderson explains that counterfeit goods are not just a harmless fake version of a designer bag – they're often made in dangerous conditions, using cheap materials that can fall apart or even harm the user. In addition, the profits from counterfeit goods are often used to fund other criminal activities, from drug trafficking to human smuggling.

The documentary takes us around the world to show the different aspects of the counterfeit goods trade. In Asia, we see the large-scale counterfeiting operations that produce millions of fake products to be sold around the world. These factories often employ workers in dangerous conditions and with low pay, and the products are often of such poor quality that they can cause illness or even death.

We also meet some of the people who smuggle counterfeit goods from one country to another. These "mules" are often paid a small amount of money to carry fake products through customs, where they may be seized or destroyed. However, the profits from successful smuggled goods can be huge, making it a tempting business for those in poverty.

In the United States, we follow the story of a woman named Maria who unwittingly purchased a counterfeit version of a popular beauty product. This product caused an allergic reaction that left her with painful burns all over her face. She got in touch with a lawyer who helped her track down the company responsible for the counterfeit product – a group of criminals operating out of a garage in New York City.

The episode also explores the difficult task of cracking down on counterfeit goods. In the US, Homeland Security Investigations has a dedicated team of agents who work to intercept counterfeit goods at ports and borders. However, the vast scale of the counterfeit goods trade makes it a difficult task. Most agents are only able to catch a small fraction of the counterfeit goods that are brought into the country.

Overall, this episode of Crime Inc. is a fascinating look at the world of counterfeit goods, and the dangerous and far-reaching network of criminals involved in their production. It's clear that counterfeit goods are not just a minor annoyance for luxury brands – they're a serious public health risk, and their profits are often tied to other criminal activities.