Counterfeiting

Business

Le Havre: 38,000 pairs of fake trainers smashed to pieces

Seized in 2011 in containers from China, almost 38,000 pairs of fake trainers have been destroyed in Le Havre after years of legal wrangling, highlighting the scale of counterfeiting in France.

08/06/2026

Health news

Fake COVID-19 and flu tests found across Europe

Manipulated units of a combined test for COVID-19 and influenza have reached the European market. The manufacturer has confirmed that batch FCO24090516 is fake.

20/12/2025

Health news

Police seize €57 million in black market medicines, weight loss drugs

Interpol cited a concerning rise in demand for unauthorised weight loss drugs and peptide supplements in Europe and other wealthy regions.

25/06/2025

Europe News

How connected is the EU to its capital, Brussels?

The EU institutions and Brussels are now firmly interwoven, however, it took concerted effort to ensure the local and international could cohabit.

23/05/2025

Europe in Motion

Which EU country seizes the highest amount of fake goods?

EU customs officers reported significant volumes of counterfeit goods that pose health and safety issues.

20/05/2025

EuroVerify

Are Europe's luxury handbags all produced in China?

The US and China’s ongoing trade war has taken to TikTok and European fashion houses have found themselves sandwiched in the middle.

21/04/2025

Health news

Dutch authorities warn against buying fake painkillers online

Counterfeit oxycodone circulating in the Netherlands poses serious health risks, authorities said.

19/03/2025

Health news

Customs officials issue warning about 'erectile honey' flooding France

French authorities made a record bust in 2024, seizing 13 tonnes of honey laced with erectile dysfunction medicine.

21/01/2025

Health news

New study sheds light on illegal online pharmacies selling semaglutide

Researchers looked at the composition of online purchases of semaglutide, the popular drug usually prescribed for diabetes or obesity.

05/08/2024

Culture news

Tintin with pin-ups? French artist condemned for parodying Hergé

“I am stunned by such a decision in French law, which seems to go against the European trend, and very worried about freedom of expression..." A French artist has been sued and ordered to withdraw his works showing Tintin in Edward Hopper's world.

19/07/2024

Art

Spanish police say they have smashed Banksy fakes ring

Officers arrested two people in Zaragoza, where forgeries were allegedly created, and two others suspected of putting fake Banksy artworks on sale for as much as €1,500 apiece.

08/03/2024

Health news

Patients hospitalised after using counterfeit weight-loss drugs

Austria’s health authorities said they had reports that Ozempic counterfeit medicine had reached patients. UK regulators also said a small number of patients were hospitalised.

30/10/2023

Health news

Fake Ozempic pens identified in European countries, EU regulators warn

Ozempic is a diabetes medicine that has been in high demand.

19/10/2023

Culture news

Fighting fashion fakes: How AI is battling counterfeit culture

Growing concerns about the negative effect of fashion fakes on the fashion industry mean some brands are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to help seek out counterfeit products.

12/07/2023

Spain

Spain dismantles Ukrainian refugee exploitation network

Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion were 'crammed' into factories, while leaders of the illicit network led a "life of luxury", say Spanish police.

22/01/2023

Tech News

Amazon hit by EU court over knock-off Louboutins

Amazon has been in trouble with the ECJ more than once, along with multiple other tech giants.

22/12/2022