http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Terrorists-cash-in-on-fake-goods/2004/11/19/1100838229512.html
David Elias
"The International Chamber of Commerce has estimated the worldwide trade in counterfeits to be worth $450 billion, which means that 7 per cent of the global economy is not what it seems. Governments are losing tax revenue, thousands of jobs in the manufacture, distribution and sales have disappeared, and the health and safety of consumers are being put at risk.
The US-based International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition has linked the trade with organised crime and the terrorism groups al-Qaeda and Hezbollah.
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AdvertisementThe coalition's position paper Facts on Fakes said terrorist organisations were using the sale of fake goods to raise and launder money. 'Recovered al-Qaeda terrorist training manuals have revealed that the organisation recommends the sale of fake goods as one means to raise funds to support terrorist operations.' "
Facts on Fakes - http://www.iacc.org/teampublish/uploads/factsupdated.pdf
