ACG Goes Live on BBC Crime Watch

This morning The Anti-Counterfeiting Group (ACG) Director General, Phil Lewis took his turn in the spotlight as he appeared as a special guest on the real-life crime programme.

One of the features on the programme touched on counterfeit goods and how dangerous they are to consumers. Within this segment of the programme viewers got an insight into a raid action in Manchester, Cheetham Hill organised by City of London Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) who take on the responsibility to investigate and deter serious and organised intellectual property crime in the United Kingdom.

PIPCU’s raid uncovered tonnes of counterfeit goods being sold within a business premises and where able to detect that the goods where fake as the business owner was arrested at his home alongside branded labels.

Phil spoke about the ACG and what we do to protect consumers and brands from being targeted by counterfeit good sellers alongside what buying counterfeit goods does to the UK economy and the effects it has on the consumers that purchase it.

BCC Crime Watch asked Phil to present a ‘How to Spot a Fake’ where he was able to give viewers tips on how to spot a genuine product from a fake.

The ACG urge that consumers avoid buying fake goods and only buy from reputable sources.

Buying counterfeit goods are dangerous as goods like airbags, electrical products and even Covid masks have not been safety tested, makeup and perfume can contain toxic chemicals which can be harmful and buying a fake handbag or pair of shoes is destroying jobs and the high street, helps criminals launder money which in turn creates illegal business, illegal workers and more crime.

For tips on how to spot a fake go to the ACG Consumer Advice page.