Fake fashion: Italian police shutter rogue websites

Italian police have closed down 410 websites selling fake luxury goods including knock-offs of brands such as Montblanc, Bulgari and Chanel.

The criminal operation was taken down special units of the Guardia di Finanza, which uncovered the counterfeiting organisation via two separate investigations and are now looking closely at the affairs of 15 people suspected of involvement in the scam.

Raids were carried out throughout Italy, including the provinces of Naples, Catania, Palermo, Pescara, Salerno, Ascoli Piceno, Venice, Milan, Mantua, Livorno and Viterbo, according to local press reports.

The websites were also selling copies of goods sold by Cartier, Panerai, Fendi, Patek Philippe, Prada, Dolce and Gabbana, Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Hermes, Christian Dior, Gucci, Moncler, Armani and Rolex, according to the Italian police.

Brand owners cooperated with the enforcement authorities in a number of ways, for example by making purchases from the sites, testing the items received for authenticity and reporting their findings.

Last year, the Guardia di Finanza seized around €3bn-worth of counterfeit products. In a statement, it said counterfeiting has "negative effects on the economy, in terms of job losses, tax evasion, connections with organised crime, exploitation of minors, security, health and damage to consumers."