Counterfeit goods will still thrive if consumers are still easy-going.

(Baothanhhoa.vn) - Although the authorities have increased inspection and handling, many cases of counterfeit goods production and trading are still continuously discovered, showing the complexity and sophistication of this type of crime. However, a worrying reality is that the existence and even development of counterfeit goods is partly due to consumers being easygoing, lacking vigilance, and even intentionally assisting because of the psychology of liking cheap "branded goods".

Authorities check for signs of counterfeit trademarks at a store on Le Hoan Street ( Thanh Hoa City).

From the ease of consumers

On May 23, Thanh Hoa Provincial Police raided a facility producing and trading fake cosmetics in Hop Thang Commune (Trieu Son). The owner of the facility, Nguyen Thi Dung (born in 1995), was discovered to be producing and packaging 256 bottles of various cosmetics such as makeup remover cream, acne serum, skin whitening cream... from chemicals and packaging of unknown origin. At the scene, the authorities seized a large quantity of raw materials, mixing tools, packaging machines, and many fake bottles and labels of famous brands. All of them had no legal invoices or documents.

Also in the last days of May, during the peak period of inspection and handling of smuggling, trade fraud, counterfeit goods and infringement of intellectual property rights, Thanh Hoa market management force in coordination with the Economic Police Department (Provincial Police) discovered Tung Moscau store (address 242 Le Hoan Street, Thanh Hoa City) trading in a large quantity of goods counterfeiting famous brands. The seized exhibits included hundreds of fashion products of all kinds, counterfeiting brands such as Gucci, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Hermes, Versace...

These are typical cases showing the increasing sophistication and scale of counterfeit goods violations in the province. However, what is equally worrying is that a segment of consumers, although suspicious, still easily accept, and even voluntarily seek to buy, “fake” branded products with the reasons of “cheap”, “temporary use”, “similar to genuine goods”.

In fact, the psychology of "preferring" cheap branded goods is one of the important reasons that facilitates the rampant counterfeiting. On many business streets, or even stores in the central area of ​​Thanh Hoa City, it is not difficult to find handbags, shoes, and cosmetics labeled "branded goods" but priced at only a few tens to a few hundred thousand dong. According to store owners, the goods are mainly imported from wholesalers, with "brand" labels or self-labeled and sold openly. Many consumers, despite their doubts, still decide to buy, just because they "look like real goods" and "have beautiful designs". This reality reflects a sad paradox: counterfeit goods not only originate from the seller's violations, but are also "fed" by the easy-going habits of buyers.

Buying online without verification - helping fake goods "flourish"

With the development of e-commerce, many people take advantage of cyberspace to sell fake goods under the guise of "livestream", "sale hunting", "high-end domestic goods". From platforms such as Facebook, Zalo, TikTok to e-commerce platforms, fake goods reach consumers with just a few clicks.

What is worrying is that very few consumers carefully check the origin of the product, invoices and documents, or are afraid to complain, leading to abetting violations without realizing it. Many cases only discover that the product is fake when they experience side effects, but they ignore it because "it's cheap so it's not worth complaining about".

A representative of the Market Management Department stated: “Consumers have a great privilege – not to buy if they suspect that the goods are fake. However, in reality, many people choose to be lenient, afraid to verify, afraid to respond. This is what allows counterfeit goods to exist and develop.”

On June 4, 2025, the Prime Minister signed and issued Official Dispatch No. 82/CD-TTg requesting to continue to step up the fight against, prevent and repel smuggling, trade fraud, counterfeit goods, and infringement of intellectual property rights, in order to protect the legitimate rights and interests of people and businesses. The Official Dispatch clearly stated: The authorities need to focus highly on and tighten control of essential goods directly related to health and consumer safety such as milk, medicine, functional foods, foods that do not guarantee quality and counterfeit goods.

However, for this fight to be truly effective and go to the root, it is necessary to have the active participation of consumers - the first "line of defense" against the problem of counterfeit goods. Counterfeit goods cannot exist if consumers are alert and resolute in saying no to products of unknown origin. Because each buying and selling act is a "link" in the supply chain, and the right choice from consumers is the most effective "barrier" to "stifle" the output of counterfeit goods.

Therefore, in addition to strengthening inspection, examination and strict handling of violations, it is necessary to promote propaganda and education to raise public awareness and form a culture of responsible consumption. Only when consumers do not assist, can counterfeit goods be truly eliminated from the root. This is not only an act of self-protection but also contributes to building a transparent, healthy and fair commodity market.

Article and photos: Tung Lam

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/hang-gia-van-nbsp-song-khoe-neu-nguoi-tieu-dung-con-de-dai-251315.htm