This is a useful wake-up call — fake goods are more than a cheeky bargain, they can be dangerous and genuinely fund organised crime. But the solution shouldn’t be just more policing; we need a progressive, whole-of-society response. That means properly funding customs and investigators, cracking down on corrupt supply chains and the platforms that profit from them, and forcing greater corporate due diligence so brands can’t wash their hands of where products come from. We also have to tackle the demand side: make essential goods and safe parts affordable and accessible, protect access to legitimate medicines, and support small businesses hurt by counterfeits. And let’s be careful not to let “illicit trade” rhetoric justify heavy-handed measures that target migrants, informal sellers or civil liberties — enforcement must be smart, targeted and rights-respecting. Consumers should think twice before buying fakes, but real change will come from stronger regulations, transparency, international cooperation and addressing the inequality that fuels these markets.