Customs to target Internet fakes

The Internet is an increasingly attractive shopping place for Koreans; transactions have increased in number each of the past five years. But with the increased volume has come an increase in counterfeit goods. The Seoul office of the Korea Customs Service wants that ended, announcing yesterday that it has signed an agreement with several Internet sites that host retailers. Those “Internet malls” include Interpark, Gmarket and Daum Onket. The customs office said the sites have agreed to share information on suspected counterfeit goods offered by sellers in those malls. The site operators have reportedly agreed to alert customs officials when they spot a suspicious offering and to report monthly on the volume of transactions on their sites. Seoul Customs said it would award prizes to employees at the Internet shopping sites who help uncover illegal online transactions involving fake goods produced locally or imported illegally into this country. It also promised that the program would be expanded to additional sites. “The byproduct of increased Internet shopping transactions has been a growing number of fake products sold in cyberspace,” said an official at Seoul Customs. “We hope this deal will allow the two sides to share more information on fake production and to control the counterfeit market more effectively.” According to the National Statistical Office, Internet shopping transactions have jumped from 3.3 trillion won ($3.4 billion) in 2001 to nearly 11 trillion won last year. Seoul Customs seized 214 million won worth of counterfeit products offered on the Internet in 2001, but the figure soared to more than 21 billion won last year. Through July, Seoul customs officials have confiscated 20 billion won worth of fake goods this year. In a case in February, the customs agency caught a 40-year-old man who made 1.5 billion won selling fake Chanel purses and Christian Dior watches made in China. Earlier this month, customs found a 35-year-old man selling fake Puma sneakers and clothing at about half the price of genuine goods. The merchandise, customs officials said, had been smuggled from the United States. Seoul Customs said 115 agents would focus on Internet sales of drugs, clothes and jewelry in a campaign that would continue until Nov. 15. by Kim Chang-gyu