Authorities Shut Down 292 Websites Selling Counterfeits

On December 1, 2014, Europol announced that Europol in cooperation with the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and 25 law enforcement agencies from 18 countries, including Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Lithuania, Romania and Serbia, closed down 292 websites selling counterfeit products to customers worldwide.

Europol and the local law enforcement authorities began tracking down online infringers in August 2014 after receiving reports about websites selling counterfeits from various trademark owners. The websites were taken down as part of the project called “In Our Sites (IOS) Transatlantic V”.

The websites mostly sold fake luxury goods, sportswear, electronics, pharmaceuticals as well as pirated movies and music. According to the joint operation representatives, the infringers especially like to take advantage of the holiday season because the customers are less cautious and more likely to buy products online.

Since the IOS project began in November 2012, the authorities have closed down a total of 1,829 websites.

Prepared by: Masa Lopicic

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Source: Sofia Globe