Buy counterfeit, sell it for real

When I was a teenager I earned my money with holiday jobs and weekend jobs. But these days, teenagers have found another much more lucrative business. Buying counterfeit shoes, clothing and watches via the PandaBuy platform. And sell them for the real deal on 2nd hand platforms.
Some make thousands of dollars with this lucrative business per week.

The concept is quite ingenious, especially with the current quality of counterfeit items coming from China these days. Some of it is almost indistinguishable from the real deal.

They place an order for a few pairs of shoes via the PandaBuy platform. Shoes like Jordans, which can easily cost between 600 and 2000 USD in retail stores, they buy for 40 USD. Usually the the cost of transport is more expensive than the products themselves. They choose routes via Vietnam, Laos or Cambodia, because of very little customs controls. After a few weeks, the products arrive, and immediately they are sold on online platforms in Europe with a discount compared to the real deal. One pair of Jordans can easily bring a profet of 500 USD.

High fines, but very little chance to get caught

Here in Belgium, the fines for buying and selling counterfeit items vary from 500 to 500k Euro. Even prison sentences are possible upvto 5 years.
But the chance of getting caught is very slim, that is why so many kids are doing this. Most parents don’t even know their teens are engaging in such a dubious business.

Problem of society?

Is this purely the responsibility of the teens themselves? Or is the Instagram culture with influencers showing extremely expensive brand clothing as if it is normal to wear 2000 $ shoes?

In my opinion, both are responsible.

Watch out, and don’t fall for this trap. It isn’t worth it, to sell your soul for some “brand clothing”!

Sincerely,

Pele23