Cybercrime as an Essential Element in Transnational Counterfeiting Schemes

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Transnational counterfeiting conspiracy cases have appeared across the globe, often linking the developing and the developed world in illicit ways. In many of these cases, a forged copy of name-brand merchandise is produced cheaply, and then transported and shipped to a destination market where it is sold to consumers at a high mark-up. This kind of transnational chain conspiracy characterizes these cases, causing harms of several types: fraud victimization (the marketing and sale of fake products sold under false pretenses), the potential danger posed to victims from purchasing poorly made merchandise, and the negative impact on the legal economy (loss of jobs in legitimate manufacturing companies, and on the development of new product ideas which are stolen and used to make imitations). A sometimes overlooked element of these counterfeiting conspiracies is the essential role that cybercrime plays in their operation. Three transnational conspiracies that resulted in criminal convictions are summarized here to illustrate the centrality of cybercrime in their commission. The three conspiracies involve different types of products: electronics, pills, and perfume.

참고문헌 (Reference)

1 U.S. Attorney, "Two Sentenced for Trafficking in Counterfeit Viagra and Cialis"

2 U.S. Department of Justice, "Two Men Charged in Texas and Arrested for Smuggling Counterfeit Viagra"

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4 "Safeguarding Your Brand With Anti-Counterfeit Labels"

5 Albanese, Jay S., "Organized Crime: From the Mob to Transnational Organized Crime" Routledge 2015

6 U.S. Attorney, "Joint Law Enforcement Operation Leads to Conviction of East Bay Counterfeit Drug Manufacturer. David Beckford Sentenced to 123-Month Prison Term for Operating Counterfeit Xanax Pill Operation"

7 U.S. v. Becerra, "Indictment. Crim. No. 15- 178-KM"

8 U.S. v. Khattab, "Indictment 12 CR 514"

9 U.S Attorney, "Gardner Man Charged with Conspiracy to Traffic Counterfeit Steroids"

10 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, "Comprehensive Study on Cybercrime" UNODC 2013

11 U.S. v. Badal, "Complaint 16 MAG 3210"

12 U.S. Department of Justice, "Chinese National Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy and Trafficking of Counterfeit Apple Goods Into the United States"

13 "Anti-Counterfeit Labels And Packaging Are Key To Brand Protection"

14 U.S. Department of Justice, "5 Charged in National Counterfeit Perfume Ring"