An anti-industrial anti-piracy operation led by the National Police and carried out in partnership with the Financial Unit of the Greek police and in cooperation with its agents. 17 countries, agreed with 378 people were arrested and the seizure of approximately 2 million counterfeit products with a market value of 200 thousand liras. 85.8 million euro.
The police action was funded by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), headquartered in Alicante. Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Serbia, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.
In addition to EUIPO, the action has received support from private sector companies as well as European institutions and organizations such as Europol, Eurojust, Frontex and Olaf, police reported.
The main purpose of this operation baptized by name “Fake Star”There have been detections of counterfeit products violating the industrial property rights of well-known brands throughout Europe.
performed during the operation 378 arrests across Europe Nearly 2 million fake clothes, shoes and accessories were seized in 3,921 inspections. 258 points It is worth 85.8 million euros.
Distribution channels
According to the police, the investigation mainly focused on distribution and sales channels. The search for counterfeit products focused on: industrial zones and sites, markets, tourist areas, shops and warehouses, freight containers and logistics companies.
The investigation also made it possible to confirm that some of the illegal trade was carried out through online stores and that these products were promoted through social networking profiles as well as online stores and logistics companies.
The seized items mostly came from the following countries: China, Hong Kong, Türkiye or Vietnamfrom where they are transported by land or sea to their final destination European Union. It was seen that the majority of the nearly 2 million counterfeit products seized were sports and luxury products. The total number of counterfeit products detected after the analysis of the products 258 points.