Fake goods, real danger: the €83 billion business behind Europe's illicit trade

Published on
01/09/2026 – 15:00 GMT+2

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A hidden network of organised crime is flooding European markets with counterfeit goods worth billions, and investigators warn that consumers are unknowingly funding it.

Nearly 5% of goods entering the EU are fake, costing businesses an estimated €83 billion annually.

At the port of Alicante, OLAF and Spanish Customs officers sift through shipping containers, hunting for counterfeit products hidden in plain sight among legitimate trade. Experts describe illicit trade as a sophisticated global business model, no longer limited to luxury items but now spanning car parts, electronics, pharmaceuticals and food.

Counterfeit car components pose particular risks, as they bypass safety testing entirely. Officials stress that buying fakes helps finance serious crimes, including drug and human trafficking, urging shoppers to think twice before chasing a bargain.

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Fake goods, real danger: the €83 billion business behind Europe’s illicit trade

A hidden network of organised crime is flooding European markets with counterfeit goods worth billions, and investigators warn that consumers are unknowingly funding it.

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