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Counterfeit Mobile Phones a US$6 Billion a Year Drain on Global Economy
BRUSSELS, February 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --
Black-market sales of counterfeit and substandard cellphones are a US$6 billion a year
problem, a new in-depth report into the global counterfeit phone problem has found. The
MMF's report is the most comprehensive analysis of counterfeit and substandard cell phones
in the world to date and involves months of analysis by the world's major cellphone
brands.
"Research estimates sales of around 148 million counterfeit or substandard cellphones
in 2013 through visible retail sites, with many more expected via unofficial retail
outlets, online auction websites and local black markets," Mobile Manufacturers Forum
(MMF) Secretary General Michael Milligan said.
In India alone counterfeits make up more than 20% of the cellphone market, causing
US$1.5 billion annually in lost sales, $85 million direct tax losses and $460 million
indirect tax losses.
"Counterfeit phones are made with cheap sub-standard materials and have been shown to
contain dangerous levels of metals and chemicals like Lead," Mr. Milligan said.
People often unknowingly purchase fake cellphone products on the internet when trying
to find a cheaper price. The website http://www.spotafakephone.com helps identify and
avoid potentially dangerous fake cellphones, batteries and chargers.
Some of the tell tail signs of fake cellphones are:
- IMEI Number. Genuine cellphones have unique serial numbers to register to
a carrier network. Counterfeits often have duplicated or invalid IMEI numbers.
- Price. If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.
- Poor quality. Look for inaccurate printing, misspelled words, crooked label
placement, signs of defective workmanship...
For more details:
Counterfeit/Substandard Mobile Phones - A Resource Guide for Governments
http://www.mmfai.org/public/index.cfm?lang=eng
Contact:
Michael Milligan, Secretary General, MMF
+852-6204-6219
michael.milligan@mmfai.org, http://www.mmfai.org
Mobile Manufacturers Forum
Counterfeit Mobile Phones a US$6 Billion a Year Drain on Global Economy
BRUSSELS, February 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --
Black-market sales of counterfeit and substandard cellphones are a US$6 billion a year
problem, a new in-depth report into the global counterfeit phone problem has found. The
MMF's report is the most comprehensive analysis of counterfeit and substandard cell phones
in the world to date and involves months of analysis by the world's major cellphone
brands.
"Research estimates sales of around 148 million counterfeit or substandard cellphones
in 2013 through visible retail sites, with many more expected via unofficial retail
outlets, online auction websites and local black markets," Mobile Manufacturers Forum
(MMF) Secretary General Michael Milligan said.
In India alone counterfeits make up more than 20% of the cellphone market, causing
US$1.5 billion annually in lost sales, $85 million direct tax losses and $460 million
indirect tax losses.
"Counterfeit phones are made with cheap sub-standard materials and have been shown to
contain dangerous levels of metals and chemicals like Lead," Mr. Milligan said.
People often unknowingly purchase fake cellphone products on the internet when trying
to find a cheaper price. The website http://www.spotafakephone.com helps identify and
avoid potentially dangerous fake cellphones, batteries and chargers.
Some of the tell tail signs of fake cellphones are:
- IMEI Number. Genuine cellphones have unique serial numbers to register to
a carrier network. Counterfeits often have duplicated or invalid IMEI numbers.
- Price. If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.
- Poor quality. Look for inaccurate printing, misspelled words, crooked label
placement, signs of defective workmanship...
For more details:
Counterfeit/Substandard Mobile Phones - A Resource Guide for Governments
http://www.mmfai.org/public/index.cfm?lang=eng
Contact:
Michael Milligan, Secretary General, MMF
+852-6204-6219
michael.milligan@mmfai.org, http://www.mmfai.org
Mobile Manufacturers Forum