Author: Benjamin Fourmond

Making counterfeit goods has become a new form of entertainment in China.

Users of the popular short video app Douyin are taking to the platform to show how counterfeit cosmetics are made. Videos include a vlogger showing other users how to make lipsticks, lip glosses and foundations within minutes. The vlogger then attaches labels relating to popular makeup brands to the counterfeit goods.

Viewers can then directly purchase the counterfeit goods via the app if the user leaves their WeChat contact information in the videos.

It is believed similar activity takes place on the Chinese photo-sharing app Kuaishou.

Both Douyin and Kuaishou state that they will stop recommending videos advertising counterfeit goods, and creators of these videos will be punished.

Sources: https://jingdaily.com/video-counterfeit-china/, https://technode.com/2018/03/26/douyin-kuaishou-counterfeit-products/

Comsec’s latest client has exceeded over 7500 removals in their first two months of using Watchdog.

Across two platforms, calculated by the number of items advertised and the price given, £28 million worth of counterfeit product has been removed.

The entertainment distribution company has used Watchdog to remove counterfeit licensed toys and clothing in the UK and US.

As well as being a breach of the company’s IP, these goods pose a dangerous health and safety risk to consumers who purchase them.

For more information on Watchdog and how it can assist in the protection of  your brand, visit watchdoghq.com

Comsec are set to exhibit at this year’s Retail Risk Conference in London.

This is the company’s third consecutive year attending the conference, founded by Paul Bessant.

The worldwide conference series brings together retailers, academics and law enforcement personnel from across the globe to network, and share their experiences in the loss prevention industry.

Speakers at this year’s event include: Jo Day, Regional Loss Prevention Manager at Amazon, John Low, Head of Risk and Health & Safety at Game Retail Limited, and Colin Stewart, Director of Asset Protection at Abercrombie & Fitch.

Retail Risk London will take place on 26 April at the Hotel Novotel London West in Hammersmith. For more information about the event, and other Retail Risk events coming up this year, visit www.retailrisk.com.

The growth of connectivity and the integration of IT (Information Technology) and OT (Operational Technology) makes all business better equipped to realise their “digital” potential, but with this increasingly “connected” environment come risks. James Ramm, Managing Director of Comsec Investigations Ltd explains more in this article published in fcbusiness magazine, December 2017.

FC Business Match Fit – Cyber Security link: fc106-comsec.pdf

The FC Business Directory has been published – see Comsec’s entry on page 52

FC Business Directory link: https://bit.ly/2HEen8O