| More than half a million counterfeits have been confiscated in Scotland by trading standards officers this year, according to figures released by the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency.
The 400,000 fake records are worth £4.2 million and the 147,000 counterfeit DVDs £450,000.
Director general of the SCDEA, Gordon Meldrum, said, “People need to be aware that the trade in fakes is not a victimless crime.
“Those involved in this illegal activity are very often also responsible for peddling drugs, forcing people into the sex trade and trading in firearms.
“They use the profits generated from the sale of counterfeit goods to expand their criminal enterprises and fund their involvement in other forms of serious crime.
“I urge shoppers to ask whether they really want their hard-earned cash to be used to fund organised crime.”
Dundee City Council trading standards officer Raymond Lynch said, “Due to the lack of indoor markets and car boot sales, the problem of counterfeits in the city has not replicated national figures.
“As the trade in counterfeits has been driven away from the retail sector by enforcement action, there are now two main sources of fakes.
“One is the bedroom industry, where people make copies to sell on to family and friends, the other is usually illegal immigrants being given a suitcase full of goods to sell in exchange for their passage here.
“They are basically put on a train and told to sell them wherever they can, in pubs, on the street, anywhere they can do it. The money they make is then sent back to the gangs who sent them.
“Our advice would be if you are approached by any individual selling DVDs or CDs, then they are likely to be counterfeit and you should not buy them and contact us immediately on 01382 436260.” |
