The Dubai Government Has Shut Down Nearly 9,000 Accounts For Selling Counterfeit Goods

The Department of Economic Development (DED) has shut down 8,894 social media accounts for selling counterfeit goods throughout 2016. 

The accounts had a collective of 94.5 million followers, and the DED worked with the websites and the brand representatives to close the accounts. 

It’s reported 80% of the accounts were based on Instagram, but Facebook and Twitter also housed some of the accounts. 

The number of fraudulent accounts closed was up 200% in 2016 from 2015, as more users migrated to social media, believing the sites are safer for counterfeit sales 

Director of Intellectual Property Rights Protection Management in CCCP Ibrahim Behzad, said: “Social networking accounts have come in handy for many who trade in counterfeit goods nowadays but the Electronic Compliance section maintain tight vigil to prevent such misuse of modern technology and protect the reputation of Dubai as a competitive business hub.”