Prada works with Amazon to nab Chinese counterfeiter

Celene Ignacio

24th Oct 2023

Prada Group and other luxury retailers collaborated with Amazon’s Counterfeit Crimes Unit (CCU) to provide information to Chinese authorities, resulting in a case against a counterfeit items seller who pleaded guilty.

“We are firmly committed to eradicating the sale of counterfeit goods to protect our brands and to ensure that our products meet the level of quality, craftsmanship and care that people expect from us,” said Francesca Secondari, general counsel and chief legal officer at Prada Group said.

Amazon’s CCU detected the attempted counterfeiting back in 2021, followed by an investigation. Amazon provided the evidence to the relevant regional Chinese enforcement agency to lodge a criminal case against the accused.

The defendant has been sentenced to three years in prison and obliged to pay a $25,000 fine.

All the counterfeit products found in the defendant’s inventory will be destroyed and revenue from selling such items will be forfeited.

“The guilty plea is a significant win for Amazon’s CCU, but more importantly it’s a win for all of those who share our commitment to tackling the industry-wide issue of counterfeiting,” said Kebharu Smith, director at Amazon’s CCU.