News

Alibaba’s anti-counterfeit codes

Consumer goods giant Unilever has joined forces with Alibaba in a programme that aims to prevent counterfeits on the online retailer’s sites. The Chinese arm of Unilever has signed a memorandum of understanding with Alibaba that -alongside initiatives to expand distribution of consumer goods – will also see Unilever brands carry a new QR code-based technology that the company recently adopted to help fight counterfeits. The QR codes “will help consumers easily identify counterfeit products with [a] mobile app and provide a special shopping experience for the consumer” and will be added to Unilever’s products initially on a trial basis. The codes are being supplied by Visualead, an Israeli start-up in which Alibaba bought a minority stake earlier this year, and according to earlier reports be supplied to companies who request them at no cost. Unilever has had a dedicated storefront on Alibaba’s Tmall since 2011 and has since also started making use of the online retailer’s Tmall Global platform for sales outside China – but the new agreement calls for much closer cooperation between the companies both on- and off-line. The deal will result in expanded distribution channels – giving customers in rural China better access to Unilever products for example – and also see the two companies working on a ‘big data’ approach to advertising and driving sales.

http://www.securingindustry.com/clothing-and-accessories/unilever-to-trial-alibaba-anti-counterfeit-codes/s107/a2431/#.VcHdafOqqko

Counterfeit products seized, Liverpool

Police seized almost $60,000 worth of illegal tobacco products and counterfeit electronics goods during raids on six tobacconists in Sydney’s south-west today. The search warrants were the result of Strike Force Recnac, which was formed in April 2015 to investigate the sale of illicit tobacco products from multiple retail premises within the Liverpool CBD. Police conducted five of the warrants simultaneously at 10am today (Tuesday 21 July 2015) at tobacconists on Macquarie Street and Bigge Street, and a mini-mart on Macquarie Street. A sixth warrant was carried out later in the day at another Macquarie Street tobacconist. During today’s searches, officers seized almost $50,000 worth of illegal and/or counterfeit tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, chop chop (loose tobacco), shisha-flavoured tobacco, and counterfeit plain packaging. Police also allegedly located counterfeit electronics items – including cables, tablets and phones – with an estimated potential street value of more than $10,000. In addition, police seized more than $7000 in cash; it will be alleged this is proceeds of crime.

Fake Mac makeup Seller Convicted

New Port Richey, Florida – A 45-year-old New Port Richey woman is accused of using the notoriety of a top cosmetic brand to make more than a million dollars by selling fake MAC brand cosmetics online. A federal judge sentenced Tina Oleszczuk to 18 months in federal prison and she has to pay MAC $961,744.75 According to court documents, from March 2012 to March 2014, Oleszczuk, through her company, Cozmetic Delights LLC, sold more than $1 million worth of counterfeit Make-up Art Cosmetics, Inc. (“MAC”) cosmetics out of her New Port Richey home. Investigators say she purchased and had bulk quantities of counterfeit MAC cosmetics delivered from a source in China and then she sold the counterfeit cosmetics as legitimate goods at significantly higher prices.

Illegal tobacco trade busted

An investigation is under way after test shoppers found tobacco was being illegally sold in Morecambe. A global cigarette firm bought non-duty paid tobacco at locations across Morecambe and will hand the evidence to Trading Standards. The tobacco and cigarettes haul is thought to include counterfeit versions of genuine tobacco brands and products made specially to be smuggled into the UK to avoid paying tax and sold on illegally, also known as illicit whites. David Morris, MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, also saw the evidence for himself and said he was “extremely shocked” at the extent of the illegal tobacco trade The test purchases were carried out by Japan Tobacco International (JTI) whose brands include Benson & Hedges and Silk Cut. A JTI spokesman said: “The impact of the illicit trade in tobacco on society is far reaching and members of the public, retailers, suppliers and the Government all have a role to play to combat the issue. Criminals who deal in illegal tobacco will sell to all-comers, including children. JTI fully supports any efforts to rid our streets of illegal tobacco and stop criminals infiltrating our communities.

http://www.thevisitor.co.uk/news/local/morecambe-s-illegal-tobacco-trade-busted-by-test-shoppers-1-7368324

British American Tobacco Employees Kidnapped

Three delivery and distribution workers from the British American Tobacco Group in Costa Rica were rescued by law enforcement officers after being taken hostage by two suspects, one of them armed with a pellet gun. According to metro reporter Alejandro Fonseca of daily tabloid Diario Extra, the incident occurred near the dairy farming community of Coronado, located in the outskirts of the capital city of Costa Rica. The report from Diario Extra explains that the three employees had completed a delivery of cigarette cartons and other tobacco products to a liquor store in Coronado when they were accosted by two armed individuals, who were dressed in clothing that resembled the uniforms of British American Tobacco Group employees in Costa Rica. The suspects commandeered the Daihatsu Terios delivery vehicle and forced the three delivery workers inside at gunpoint. Unbeknownst to the suspects, a passerby was watching the crime unfold from just around the corner while using a mobile phone to relay the actions to a dispatcher from Fuerza Publica (the national police force of Costa Rica).

http://news.co.cr/british-american-tobacco-employees-kidnapped-in-costa-rica/40279/

Sherrif busts Jailer

Sheriff Bob Alford put in overtime this week to catch a jailer operating outside the law. “It was my privilege,” Alford said. His office was alerted to a jailer that was believed to have been working as a delivery man between families and inmates to smuggle tobacco and drugs into the jail. With the assistance of LaSalle Corrections and the STOP Task Force, a recording of a transaction in the jail parking area between jailer Kenneth Milburn and the family of an inmate was enough to allow Alford to arrest the jailer. “He fell into a trap. Inmates would offer him money to bring items in for them,” Alford said. During the recorded transaction, Milburn was paid $300 and had both the money and the contraband on his person, Alford said, when taken down inside the jail by the sheriff. The contraband is believed to be tobacco and methamphetamine. “The jail staff got wind of what was going on,” Alford said. “We worked with them to set up a sting and catch this jailer in the act.” He has been charged with a count of possession and another of delivery of a controlled substance between 1-4 grams. “I think it is important to remember we have 220 employees working in the controlled area of the jail, and he’s just one,” Alford said. “If we can’t police ourselves, we can’t police the public. He had disgraced the badge.” While the actions of Milburn reflect poorly on law enforcement, the actions of other jailers to catch him paint a true picture of the ethical standards held by Johnson County jailers, Alford said. It’s not the first time Alford has got involved to fight crime at the jail. He previously has played an undercover role of a hit man, foiling an inmate’s murder-for-hire plan.

http://www.burlesonstar.net/localnews/ci_28503297