Operation Fake Star: European police seize 87 million euro worth of counterfeit clothes

As part of the international operation Fake Star, police forces from 17 countries seized counterfeit clothes, shoes and accessories worth around 87 million euros between March and December. The European police organisation Europol announced the seizure in a press release on Tuesday.

A total of 3,921 inspections were carried out, seizing 1.96 million counterfeit goods. Counterfeit sports and luxury goods were the most common, mostly from non-EU countries such as China, Hong Kong, Turkey and Vietnam.

The operation also confirmed that criminal organisations use social media to promote counterfeit products. The results do not come as a big surprise, as the online trade in counterfeit goods has grown significantly in recent years.

"Strong cooperation is needed to combat counterfeiting"

However, traditional offline marketplaces remain an important driver of the counterfeit trade. "Strong cooperation is therefore needed to combat counterfeiting," the police said.

Operation Fake Star took place in 17 countries: Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Ukraine, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain and the United Kingdom.

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