Counterfeit Consumer Electronics Facts & Figures
In 2009, the value of counterfeit electronics available on the black market was estimated at $100 billion, making these products a valuable commodity. A total of $31.77 million in fake consumer electronics were seized in the United States last year in addition to four million units of various knock-off electronic equipment and devices captured by European Union authorities. Because the counterfeit industry is so vast, many counterfeit consumer electronic products continue to end up in legitimate supply chains and are sold on the market to unsuspecting buyers.
Counterfeit consumer electronics not only include fraudulent items sold on the retail market but can also be substandard components that end up in a manufacturer’s supply chain. A fake set of batteries in your favorite gaming device could be counterfeit, or memory cards for a digital camera can carry a virus, subsequently compromising your computer. Between five to 20 percent of electronic components in a distributor’s supply chain are thought to be counterfeit. Purchasing substandard products or counterfeit goods have consequences that extend far beyond a defective product, and can directly impact consumer safety.
Other Counterfeit Figures Include:
- The black market value of counterfeit batteries in 2009 was $23 million
- 5.6 million computer chips were seized by U.S. Customs between Nov 2007 and May 2010
- Over 1.38 million units of cell phones and accompanying accessories were seized by the European Union over the past 3 years.
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