14 DAY TRIAL // In an effort that involved multiple law enforcement agencies from Europe and the US, a large number of domains were seized because of illegal online activity that posed a risk for the financial information of unsuspecting customers.
The websites were created to sell counterfeit merchandise such as headphones, sports jerseys, personal care products, shoes, toys, luxury goods, cell phones and electronic accessories.
An online payment system was available, so customers could pay by credit or debit card. Although there are no details pointing to fraudulent financial activities, the site owners could have collected the card details from the customers and sold them on underground forums to cybercriminals.
“It is important that we make sure the public is aware of the risks of buying counterfeits. Not only are fake goods likely to be shoddy copies of the original and potentially dangerous, but consumers are also putting their personal and financial information at risk. Consumers need to be cautious when shopping online,” said Detective Inspector Rob Stirling of the London Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit.
The agencies contributing to the takedown include Europol and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), as well as 11 law enforcement organizations from eight countries.
The domain names were seized as part of the project “In Our Sites (IOS) - Transatlantic 4,” and users accessing them are presented with a notification of the seizure and the reasons behind it.