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Spotlight | Russia, Turkey
Putin weaponises counterfeit luxury goods amid Ukraine war

Read this article in our running story

“The geopolitics of fake goods”

Europe, Hong Kong, Russia, Turkey

The geopolitics of fake goods

The counterfeit market has exploded in recent years, from fake Hermès Birkins to fake Chanel 2.55s, fake luxury trainers to fake Rolex watches. Thanks in part to the internet, but first and foremost to the current global geopolitical situation, the quality of counterfeit luxury goods is improving - to the extent that even experts have a hard time distinguishing real from fake. Moreover, the networks trafficking fakes between Paris, Hong Kong, Ankara and Moscow are becoming better organised. [...]

Vladimir Putin facilitates the transit of luxury counterfeit goods through Russia, as well as their manufacture. © Studio Pachamama

One of Russian President Vladimir Putin's responses to Western support for Ukraine has been to make it much easier for fake luxury products to transit through - and be manufactured in - his country. [...]

Published on 09.02.2023 at 05:30 GMT Reading time 3 minutes

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Entourage

Read this article in our running story

“The geopolitics of fake goods”

Europe, Hong Kong, Russia, Turkey

The geopolitics of fake goods

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Cartier
Covid-19
Eurasian Customs Union
European Union
Global Anti-Counterfeiting Group

Spotlight | Europe, United States
Anti-fraud services and tax authorities target Instagram 'live' luxury sales

The rising numbers of Instagram accounts selling luxury bags, jewellery and clothing items are getting a close look from anti-fraud services on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as from tax authorities. In providing a distribution channel with little regulation, the app is being used by counterfeiting networks and money launderers alike.

Free access Entourage 22.02.2024

Fraud investigation services are closely monitoring sales of counterfeit luxury goods on Instagram.

France
Paris vies to vanquish counterfeit sales before Olympics

With the city's summer Olympic Games approaching the starting blocks, Paris authorities are cracking down on counterfeit clothing sold in the French capital. Their top target is a flea market a stone's throw from the Athletes' Village.

Subscribers only Entourage 15.02.2024

Europe, France
Counterfeiters hone in on luxury

European customs authorities have recorded a significant decrease in seizures of counterfeit products. But while the number of seizures has dropped, the value of products seized is steadily increasing, as counterfeiters shift their focus to luxury products.

Subscribers only Entourage 14.12.2023

Russia, Switzerland, Turkey
Lifting the lid on the Turkish venture that allows Lacoste to sell in Russia

To continue selling to the Russian market despite EU sanctions, Lacoste operates via a Turkish intermediary. But a closer look at who owns the third-party company reveals it is far from an independent go-between.

Subscribers only Houses 22.06.2023

France, Russia, Turkey
Lacoste sidesteps sanctions to keep sales in Russia afloat

The brand with the iconic crocodile logo denies that it still sells its products in Russia. But, to avoid a drastic decline in sales, one of its partners does so on its behalf.

Subscribers only Houses 15.06.2023

France
Soaring electricity prices hit production chains at Vuitton and Chanel

The Velcorex group, which supplies Chanel's tweed and Louis Vuitton's monogrammed canvas, has been hit hard by rising gas and electricity prices.

Subscribers only Entourage 09.03.2023

China, France
Credible fakes pose real problems for Hermès

For just a few thousand euros, a discreet Chinese retailer has been providing the French brand's demanding customers with fake Birkin and Kelly bags that are nearly identical to the originals.

Subscribers only Houses 23.02.2023

China, France
Laundering through luxury: French authorities fear revival of 'daigou' technique as Chinese tourists return

The networks involved in a sophisticated laundering technique that relies on artificially VAT-free luxury purchases made in Europe and resold in China lay dormant during the Covid-19 pandemic. But they may soon spring back to life as EU borders reopen to Chinese tourists.

Subscribers only Entourage 16.02.2023

France, Italy, Russia
High-end tailors Stefano Ricci and Zilli slip through cracks amid Ukraine War sanctions

While most major luxury houses have closed their boutiques in Russia following European sanctions, a handful of brands has continued to sell to local clients.

Subscribers only Entourage 08.12.2022

Spotlight | Russia
Putin's heavy-handed support pushes Russian watchmaker Raketa to seek business in the Gulf

Having unintentionally become the emblem of self-sufficiency for Russian luxury goods, the Franco-British-owned Russian watchmaker Raketa is investing heavily in the Middle East to compensate for losses in its European markets.

Subscribers only Houses 17.11.2022

Spotlight | Russia
Luxury sector eludes effort to seal Ukraine sanctions loopholes

After Moscow annexed four Ukrainian regions last week, the European Union and the United States sought to tighten the grip of sanctions already in place against Russia, particularly over the trade in luxury goods. But at the eleventh hour, brands that have long prospered from their Russian clientele have managed once more to slip through the cracks in Europe.

Free access Entourage 06.10.2022

One of the first packages of EU sanctions banned luxury groups from doing business in Russia.

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Covid-19
Eurasian Customs Union
European Union
Global Anti-Counterfeiting Group

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Spotlight | Russia, Turkey
Putin weaponises counterfeit luxury goods amid Ukraine war

The geopolitics of fake goods

This article is free

Create an account to read more

create a free account

The geopolitics of fake goods

Set up email notifications for these topics

Spotlight | Europe, United States
Anti-fraud services and tax authorities target Instagram 'live' luxury sales

France
Paris vies to vanquish counterfeit sales before Olympics

Europe, France
Counterfeiters hone in on luxury

Russia, Switzerland, Turkey
Lifting the lid on the Turkish venture that allows Lacoste to sell in Russia

France, Russia, Turkey
Lacoste sidesteps sanctions to keep sales in Russia afloat

France
Soaring electricity prices hit production chains at Vuitton and Chanel

China, France
Credible fakes pose real problems for Hermès

China, France
Laundering through luxury: French authorities fear revival of 'daigou' technique as Chinese tourists return

France, Italy, Russia
High-end tailors Stefano Ricci and Zilli slip through cracks amid Ukraine War sanctions

Spotlight | Russia
Putin's heavy-handed support pushes Russian watchmaker Raketa to seek business in the Gulf

Spotlight | Russia
Luxury sector eludes effort to seal Ukraine sanctions loopholes

Set up email notifications for these topics

About Glitz.paris

Subscription

Glitz.paris on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

About Glitz.paris

Subscription

Indigo Publications' websites

Jacquemus, season 2

Karl Lagerfeld's long-time mansion, a luxury playground in Paris

The secrets of Karl Lagerfeld's estate

Spotlight | Russia, Turkey Putin weaponises counterfeit luxury goods amid Ukraine war

The geopolitics of fake goods

This article is free

Create an account to read more

create a free account

The geopolitics of fake goods

Set up email notifications for these topics

Spotlight | Europe, United States Anti-fraud services and tax authorities target Instagram 'live' luxury sales

France Paris vies to vanquish counterfeit sales before Olympics

Europe, France Counterfeiters hone in on luxury

Russia, Switzerland, Turkey Lifting the lid on the Turkish venture that allows Lacoste to sell in Russia

France, Russia, Turkey Lacoste sidesteps sanctions to keep sales in Russia afloat

France Soaring electricity prices hit production chains at Vuitton and Chanel

China, France Credible fakes pose real problems for Hermès

China, France Laundering through luxury: French authorities fear revival of 'daigou' technique as Chinese tourists return

France, Italy, Russia High-end tailors Stefano Ricci and Zilli slip through cracks amid Ukraine War sanctions

Spotlight | Russia Putin's heavy-handed support pushes Russian watchmaker Raketa to seek business in the Gulf

Spotlight | Russia Luxury sector eludes effort to seal Ukraine sanctions loopholes

Set up email notifications for these topics

About Glitz.paris

Subscription

Glitz.paris on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

Spotlight | Russia, Turkey
Putin weaponises counterfeit luxury goods amid Ukraine war

Spotlight | Europe, United States
Anti-fraud services and tax authorities target Instagram 'live' luxury sales

France
Paris vies to vanquish counterfeit sales before Olympics

Europe, France
Counterfeiters hone in on luxury

Russia, Switzerland, Turkey
Lifting the lid on the Turkish venture that allows Lacoste to sell in Russia

France, Russia, Turkey
Lacoste sidesteps sanctions to keep sales in Russia afloat

France
Soaring electricity prices hit production chains at Vuitton and Chanel

China, France
Credible fakes pose real problems for Hermès

China, France
Laundering through luxury: French authorities fear revival of 'daigou' technique as Chinese tourists return

France, Italy, Russia
High-end tailors Stefano Ricci and Zilli slip through cracks amid Ukraine War sanctions

Spotlight | Russia
Putin's heavy-handed support pushes Russian watchmaker Raketa to seek business in the Gulf

Spotlight | Russia
Luxury sector eludes effort to seal Ukraine sanctions loopholes