Counterfeit Products Research Articles

History and current state of food falsification in Russia

Food falsification has been recognized in Russia as a social problem since the mid 17th century. Historical documents testify to government measures aimed at combating fraud in the food supply industry. The foundation of the first hygienic laboratories made it possible to establish the scale of this phenomenon, collect evidence based on the results of laboratory studies, and develop regulatory documents and production standards that determine the quality and safety of food products for human health. The consequences of manufacturing, selling and consuming counterfeit food products are associated with the risk of losing health, reducing life expectancy, increasing mortality from alimentary diseases and food poisoning. For centuries, there has been an intensified fight against counterfeit products, but the problem is still relevant today. Violations in the food circulation sphere have led to the adoption of legislative and regulatory acts in recent years aimed at improving state policy measures in this area.

When are consumers more likely to purchase counterfeit products? An exploration from the perspective of information framing in communication

The problem of counterfeiting is an ongoing challenge in China and in the global market. Apart from possible economic reasons, why do people buy counterfeit goods? This question is worth exploring. Unlike studies that address the purchase behavior of counterfeit products from the perspective of intrinsic drives, this study examines the effects of similarity, popularity, and brand prominence on the purchase intention of counterfeit products from the perspective of extrinsic drives of message framing in communication in the Chinese context. By means of vignette study, this research collected 586 valid samples from four studies. The findings indicate that 1) framed similarity (framed dissimilarity) has a (negative) positive effect on counterfeit purchase intention; 2) the effects of framed similarity and framed dissimilarity on counterfeit purchase intention are generated through a serial mediation via quality perceptions and attitude; 3) the positive effect of similarity framing on purchase intention is further enhanced by the perception of the counterfeit option being a popular choice; and 4) the brand prominence of the original product further enhances the moderating positive effect of the popularity of a counterfeit product on consumer behavior. The results of the study are valuable both theoretically and practically for resisting counterfeits and developing genuine brands.

Counterfeit Anabolic Steroids in Brazil: A Forensic Perspective on Quality and Risks

The illicit use of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) poses a significant global health challenge, particularly due to the widespread availability of counterfeit products in underground markets. This review examines AAS seized in Brazil, a country with a notable prevalence of use, especially among gym and sports center attendees. Thus, the main objective of this brief review is to map studies published on the seizure and chemical analysis of AAS sourced from the underground market in Brazil. A comprehensive analysis of studies revealed high levels of adulteration in seized products, including the absence of declared active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), the addition of undeclared substances, and contamination with harmful agents such as toxic chemicals or biological impurities. Many of these products significantly diverged from their labeled composition, leading to risks of therapeutic failure, unexpected side effects, or potentially severe health consequences, such as cardiovascular toxicity or organ damage. The findings align with international trends, highlighting the urgent need for effective measures to address this issue. Regulatory agencies and law enforcement must enhance their collaboration to prevent the production and distribution of counterfeit AAS. Additionally, the implementation of advanced forensic methodologies, such as chromatography and spectrometry, is essential for identifying adulterated products and ensuring safer oversight of these substances. Public awareness campaigns are equally critical, aiming to educate consumers on the dangers of counterfeit AAS and discourage their use. This review underscores the pressing need for multidisciplinary approaches that include rigorous regulation, education, and research into harm-reduction strategies. Protecting public health requires a comprehensive understanding of the risks posed by illicit AAS and concerted efforts to mitigate their impact.

Volatilomics Profiling of Counterfeit Perfume by Gas Chromatography Hyphenated to Mass Spectrometry and Fourier-Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy

To prevent deleterious effects on consumers and potential health damage caused by counterfeit perfumes, this study aims to distinguish the original perfume from its suspected counterfeit products. Fingerprint and volatilomics profiling was performed using attenuated total reflection-Fourier infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and gas chromatography hyphenated to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Headspace (HS)-GC-MS was optimized to analyze perfume samples containing water. In the presence of water, our optimized HS-GC-MS method shows linalool's consistent signal intensity, providing an alternative analytical method for water-based perfume formulation. The GC-MS chemical characterization revealed 45 compounds detected in the original sample but only four compounds were detected in the counterfeit products: linalool, citronellol, methyl jasmonate, acetic acid, and propanol. This suggests a clear difference in the formulation of counterfeit products. Counterfeit products also cheat by using a lower amount of ingredients. Relative quantification shows that linalool in counterfeit products was as low as only 5.1% of the amount in the original product. In addition, cheaper and hazardous materials like methanol and 6,7-dihydrogeraniol were detected in counterfeit products. The combination of ATR-FTIR, GC-MS, and HS-GC-MS demonstrated fast authentication of counterfeit perfumes for routine quality control purposes and the possibility of water-based perfume analysis.

Understanding the impact of narcissism and schadenfreude on e-consumers’ purchase of counterfeit pro-environmental goods

This study examines the connection between schadenfreude, personality traits (narcissism and jealousy), and e-consumers' purchase intentions toward counterfeit products in a GCC nation, specifically Saudi Arabia. It aims to understand how these personality traits and schadenfreude affect the likelihood of purchasing counterfeit sustainable products online. A quantitative cross-sectional design was used, with data collected from 309 e-consumers via an online survey. Stratified random sampling ensured diverse representation among participants. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was applied to analyze the data using SPSS 25 and AMOS 24 software for thorough statistical examination. The results indicate that personality traits, such as narcissism and jealousy, significantly predict schadenfreude among e-consumers. Furthermore, schadenfreude has a direct influence on their intentions to buy counterfeit sustainable products. The study also reveals that these negative personality traits heighten the impact of schadenfreude on purchase intentions, demonstrating a complex interaction between personality and emotional factors in consumer behavior. This research is one of the first to explore the relationship between personality traits, schadenfreude, and purchase intentions in e-commerce within a GCC nation. Its findings offer valuable insights for marketers and policymakers on how dark personality traits can shape sustainable consumption behaviors, helping them better promote sustainable products in the region.

Securing Supply Chains: A Blockchain-Based Approach for Authenticity Assurance and Counterfeit Product Detection

In recent years, the proliferation of counterfeit products has posed a significant threat to consumers and legitimate manufacturers worldwide. Traditional methods of product authentication have proven inadequate in addressing this growing concern, necessitating innovative solutions that leverage emerging technologies. This paper presents a comprehensive approach to counterfeit product identification using blockchain technology, leveraging a decentralized and immutable ledger to ensure product authenticity and traceability. The proposed system employs a combination of the Ethereum blockchain, smart contracts, and a user-friendly web interface to facilitate the verification of product authenticity from production to the point of sale. By utilizing Truffle for smart contract development and deployment, Ganache for local blockchain simulation, and Metamask for secure transaction management, the system ensures a robust and scalable solution for counterfeit detection.

Organized Crime in Kosovo: A Comprehensive Analysis of Narcotics and Human Trafficking (2019-2023)

Organized crime poses an imminent threat in our society, driven by the pursuit of rapid wealth and power. The path to amassing large profits in a short time leads to various criminal activities, such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, and counterfeit goods, reaching global levels. This research is about the Republic of Kosovo. The intent is to analyze organized crime from 2019 to 2023, taking a comprehensive interest in drugs and human trafficking. Post-war countries struggle with extensive criminal networks that cause internal turmoil. Fostering criminal cooperation and combating corruption while ensuring security and safety remain significant internal issues. Its favorable location along the Balkan route is a pathway to illicit activities driven by criminal groups, with Europe as a destination. Additionally, by using a mixed-method approach combining qualitative and quantitative research through document analysis, data analysis, and statistical examination, the research offers a holistic perspective on the changes over the years, emphasizing key enforcement challenges. It also uncovers how criminal networks take advantage of security challenges and legislative gaps to operate freely. The research concludes that stricter enforcement laws and intensified anti-corruption efforts are urgently required. Improving security policies and practices, focusing on greater collaboration with other Balkan countries, enhancing border control, and tightening oversight in northern Kosovo are also priorities. Implementing the proposed measures would enhance Kosovo's fight against organized crime and serve as a combat model for other Balkan countries.

Ensuring product authenticity and traceability with blockchain in supply chains

This review paper explores the efficacy of blockchain technology in enhancing product authenticity and traceability within supply chains. With the complexity of global supply chains increasing, the risk of counterfeit products and inefficiencies in tracking origins is escalating. This paper synthesizes existing literature to outline the current landscape of blockchain applications in supply chains, focusing on the decentralized and immutable capabilities of the technology that promise to revolutionize traditional practices. The core of the review involves a comprehensive analysis of documented implementations of blockchain in various industries, assessing their impact on enhancing transparency, reducing fraud, and improving overall supply chain integrity. We critically examine case studies and existing research to identify patterns of success and common challenges faced by organizations adopting blockchain solutions. Findings highlight that blockchain technology not only supports better traceability and authentication processes but also fosters a more transparent environment for transactions, significantly deterring the proliferation of counterfeit goods. Additionally, the review points out the technological and organizational hurdles in adopting blockchain, such as the need for standardization and the resistance to change in legacy systems. The paper concludes that blockchain technology holds substantial promise for addressing critical issues in supply chain management. However, achieving its full potential requires overcoming significant adoption challenges and fostering collaborative efforts for standardization across industries. This review calls for ongoing research into scalable blockchain applications and strategic partnerships to drive the technology's integration into mainstream supply chain operations.

Multilevel and Flexible Physical Unclonable Functions for High-End Leather Products or Packaging.

Counterfeit and substandard high-end leather products have inflicted substantial economic damage worldwide and have tarnished the reputation of the leather industry as a whole. Due to the limited security level, current anti-counterfeiting measures are often vulnerable to attacks. Physically unclonable function (PUF) is regarded as the pinnacle of protection against counterfeiting. Leather, with a distinctive micro-nano porous structure and random creasing patterns, serves as an ideal substrate for optical PUF. Here, a flexible and durable leather-based optical PUF device is introduced that incorporates leather and fluorescent perovskite quantum dots. The fluorescence intensity distributed along the texture of leather offers parametric support for challenge-response pairs. Combined with a self-defined fluorescence pattern, the hierarchical authentication of optical PUF is realized. In conclusion, this innovation offers a desired opportunity for achieving high-security anti-counterfeiting and information traceability.

Efforts to Minimize Crime on Social Media

This research is about many crimes that occur on social media. Fraud, for example, begging children or families, fake SMS, fake job offers, selling counterfeit goods or non-existent pre-orders, fake online auctions, misleading loan offers, Cyberbullying, sending cruel or hurtful messages, posting photos or videos that embarrass certain people, spreading bad rumors and threatening someone, Hoax News, for example, fake taxpayer notification emails, fake job summons, hoax news of natural disasters, pornography, for example, prohibited websites, illegal applications. The reach of cybercrime knows no physical boundaries. Criminals, victims, and technical infrastructure are spread across the globe. With the use of technology to exploit security vulnerabilities at both personal and corporate levels, cybercrime takes many forms and continues to grow. Social media users should be more aware of potential threats and ways to protect themselves, such as recognizing fraud, not sharing too much personal information, and keeping passwords strong Strengthen regulations and laws: Governments should strengthen rules and law enforcement regarding global crime virtual on social media.

Stumbling blocks for solar social enterprises: Unveiling the barriers facing enterprises serving the base of the pyramid solar market in Tanzania

Stumbling blocks for solar social enterprises: Unveiling the barriers facing enterprises serving the base of the pyramid solar market in Tanzania

Artificial intelligence-aided electrochemical sensors for capturing and analyzing fingerprint profiles of medicinal materials

Artificial intelligence-aided electrochemical sensors for capturing and analyzing fingerprint profiles of medicinal materials

Integrating Blockchain and Homomorphic Encryption to Enhance Security and Privacy in Project Management and Combat Counterfeit Goods in Global Supply Chain Operations

The proliferation of counterfeit goods and data privacy concerns in global supply chain operations poses a significant risk to organizations and end-users alike. This paper explores the integration of blockchain technology and homomorphic encryption as dual mechanisms to enhance security and privacy in project management and supply chain operations. Blockchain offers an immutable, decentralized ledger that provides traceability and authenticity across supply chain nodes, while homomorphic encryption enables secure data processing and analysis without compromising sensitive information. The synergy of these technologies presents a robust framework to address counterfeit risks, facilitating end-to-end product authentication and allowing for secure, real-time collaboration in project management settings. This integration minimizes vulnerabilities in data handling and improves compliance with privacy regulations by securing data at rest and in transit. By evaluating case studies and recent advancements, this paper highlights the potential of blockchain and homomorphic encryption to redefine security protocols, fostering a trustworthy and resilient supply chain ecosystem. Future research directions are recommended to expand the practical applications and address scalability challenges associated with these emerging technologies.

International and national regulatory system of the intangible assets market

As part of the study, it was determined that increasing the competitiveness of business structures due to the intellectualization of their trade and economic activities led to a significant increase in the volume of the world market of intangible assets. The growth of the world market of intangible assets is accompanied by an increase in the vulnerability of its objects from the point of view of possible violations of their rights. We have identified the following reasons as the basis for violations regarding intangible assets: the legal field regulating trade relations in the field of transactions with intangible assets is created by the national legislation of different countries, which may differ significantly; growing trade in counterfeit goods and piracy. It is shown that the main purpose of creating the Agreement on Trade Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights within the framework of the World Trade Organization was the elimination of disagreements regarding the trade aspects of intellectual property rights in the legislative systems of individual countries; the importance of this Agreement in the context of the further development of the world market of intellectual property objects consists in the creation of principles and standards regarding the existence, scope and use of intellectual property rights, as well as in the development of effective means of compliance with these rights. It was found that the further development of the market of intellectual property objects requires an increase in the effectiveness of legal support and the need to create new approaches to solving, first of all, legal and organizational problems of the regulation of intellectual property rights at the regional and national levels in connection with the expansion of opportunities for the use of objects of intellectual property rights in new high-tech areas, including in the conditions of global networks, as well as in connection with the emergence of new objects of intellectual property. It was concluded that the effectiveness of the system of protection of intangible assets is directly related to the existing legal framework, and the directions for further improvement of the legislative support for the protection of intangible assets in the field of international business should be considered as follows: definition of mechanisms for the protection of intangible assets in the field of information technology, first of all, improvement of normative and legal framework in the field of protection of intellectual property rights on the Internet; development of provisions on the protection of commercial secret rights and sanctions for appropriating the authorship of someone else’s intellectual property; development of a more sophisticated counteraction to the movement through the customs territory of the country of goods that violate intellectual property rights; creation of normative and legal regulation of issues related to the need to carry out valuation of the value of intangible assets.

Who buys fakes in Russia and why?

The recent departure of international brands from the Russian markets is unprecedentedly; its consequences require thoroughly study, especially in the context of consumer behavior towards non-original goods. This paper analyzes the dynamics of counterfeit purchases in Russia in 2021—2023 and socio-economic factors that explain the purchase of fakes, given that the latter differ from standard economic goods with high symbolic value. Quantitative data representing the Russian Internet audience aged 18 years and older is used. Three waves of the online survey were conducted: in 2021 (N = 4978 people), 2022 (N = 6000 people) and 2023 (N = 6000 people). According to the results, the purchase of counterfeits is a widespread phenomenon in Russia. Russians purchase non-original goods mostly unintentionally, although in the last two years of the survey there have been structural shifts towards their knowingly buying. With the help of multinomial regression, factors for purchasing counterfeits were revealed. The availability of counterfeits on the Internet and the financial limitations of Russian households contribute to expanding the audience of consumers of non-original goods, whereas a focus on high quality when choosing goods reduces the number of buyers of counterfeits. The role of well-known brands in the consumption of counterfeit products remains ambivalent

Counterfeit conundrum: Insights into bottom of the pyramid consumer behavior in India

Counterfeit conundrum: Insights into bottom of the pyramid consumer behavior in India

The Impact of Consumer Ethics on Intention to Purchase Counterfeit Fashion Products

The issue of counterfeiting has long plagued many industries including fashion, automotive, electronics, and pharmaceutical. Companies face various challenges when it comes to dealing with the issue of counterfeiting, which results in financial implications, loss of brand reputation, and many more. From a consumer perspective, counterfeit is the cheaper option in a market where consumers are spoilt for choice. Advancements in technology have helped manufacturers of counterfeit to increase the similarity and to a certain extent the quality of their products to their genuine counterparts. Thus, the demand for counterfeit products in general kept rising over the years. This research looks at the influence of perceived behavioral control and consumer ethics in influencing consumer intention to purchase counterfeit fashion products. A partial least squares (PLS) approach to structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the data. Findings showed that there is a negative relationship between perceived behavioral control and intention and a positive relationship between consumer ethics and intention.

Decoding Online Consumer Behaviour Towards Counterfeits: Insights from Systematic Literature Review and Future Research Framework

Theoretical background: Counterfeiting poses a significant global challenge, negatively impacting businesses and consumers. This issue has been exacerbated by the rapid growth of online shopping, which has increased the availability and accessibility of counterfeit products. Despite the growing prevalence of counterfeit goods in the online marketplace, there remains a substantial research gap in understanding the dynamics of online counterfeit consumption. Previous studies have primarily focused on offline counterfeit markets, leaving a void in the literature regarding the unique factors that influence consumer behaviour and intentions in the digital environment. Purpose of the article: The aim of the article is to examine the factors influencing consumer behaviour and intentions in the context of purchasing counterfeits online. The conducted systematic review aims to fill the existing research gap by identifying new and overlooked themes and suggesting directions for future research in this area. Research methods: The article integrates empirical studies on online counterfeit purchases conducted between 2008 and 2024. The analysed articles were classified based on the year of publication, research methodologies, and characteristics of the study population. Main findings: The review identifies four thematic categories: person-centric, social and cultural, market-related, and risk-related themes. The insights provide valuable guidelines for researchers, highlighting areas for further investigation, and offer practical recommendations for policymakers and marketers to combat counterfeiting and protect consumer interests online.

Practical Reforms in the Field of Copyright Protection in the Republic Of Uzbekistan and Their Promising Results

This article examines the ongoing efforts to enhance legal literacy, awareness, and the protection of intellectual property rights in Uzbekistan, focusing on the “Strategy for the Development of Intellectual Property in the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2022-2026.” It highlights the significant legal reforms undertaken since the 2017-2021 development strategy, including the adoption of over a thousand laws aimed at fostering transparency, civil society engagement, and human rights protection. However, several challenges persist in the legal protection of intellectual property, such as inadequate public knowledge, weak integration of intellectual property in production processes, and insufficient coordination among relevant state bodies. The research explores how collective management of intellectual property rights, inspired by international models, can address these challenges. It also delves into the institutional reforms needed to ensure efficient legal protection, prevent counterfeit products, and promote the use of intellectual activity results in the economic and social sectors. The article concludes with recommendations for improving Uzbekistan’s intellectual property framework, increasing public engagement, and positioning intellectual property as a key driver of the country's socio-economic development.

Vapor Absorption and Liquefication Triggered Dynamic Color Changes and Pattern Conversions on Photonic Crystal Films for Anticounterfeiting.

The widespread use of counterfeit goods caused significant damage to economy, personal data security, and public health. There is an urgent need to develop innovative anticounterfeiting materials to enhance their performance. Anticounterfeiting labels based on responsive photonic crystals have been widely researched for the inherent difficulty in replicating the delicate structures and structure colors. By integrating various distinct nanoparticles (NPs), it is expected to produce photonic crystal patterns that offer more intricate color effects and improved anticounterfeiting capabilities. In this work, we reported a photonic crystal anticounterfeiting label with dynamic color variations in solvent vapors and pattern conversions upon vapor liquefication by utilizing three different nanoparticles including d-SiO2, h-SiO2, and m-SiO2 NPs as building blocks. This anticounterfeiting label exhibits a wealth of dynamic color changes associated with the absorption time, absorption rate, absorption medium, and microstructure of the nanoparticles, offering diverse visual effects and showcasing interesting anticounterfeiting performances. The dynamic color change or pattern conversion effect of this photonic crystal (PC) pattern is realized through refractive index changes induced by vapor absorption or solvent filling, which involves no volume changes and shows exceptional durability for repeated applications. This label shows promising broad applications in anticounterfeiting areas.