News Until now, counterfeiters have never really been interested in the Swiss market. Contrary to the major tourist destinations of Italy, France or Spain, Switzerland has hitherto been unaware of the phenomenon of street vendors harassing passers by to to lure them with the deal of a lifetime: a real branded fake watch in solid plated gold, Swiss movement made in China, quartz automatic, waterproof but not dustproof, for the absolutely knockdown price of 50 francs. A situation that nonetheless, unfortunately, may be about to change.
Indeed, since the beginning of January, the Swiss customs services have intercepted several Chinese nationals, arriving from France, who were attempting to introduce "under cover" large quantities of counterfeit watches. According to the initial findings of the investigation, it does indeed seem that a Chinese organisation has decided to attack the Swiss market with a view to selling counterfeit products, which naturally include watches bearing the biggest Swiss brand names and imitating the best known models.
The strategy adopted seems clear: groups of smugglers two or three strong share out the entry points to Switzerland along the French border, from Basle to Geneva. All customs posts are targeted. The chances of success are thus multiplied. The watches are transported in sports bags, in bulk, in batches of a hundred or so at a time. Once the customs have been passed without problem, the aim is to build up a central store where sellers can stock up. Left-luggage lockers in railway stations can be used for this purpose. After which, the market is divided up and an attempt is made to sell off the "gear" in public places (restaurants for example).
The watches that the FH Anticounter-feiting Service has been able to examine are of very poor quality. They could not fool the average Swiss citizen. Moreover, the hawkers do not conceal the fact that they are selling imitations. Only the competition-free price is an argument. All of these watches are manufactured entirely in China. They are then exported to Europe.
According to information from sources close to the investigation, it seems that a main stock has been built up in the Paris region, supplied by whole containers. The instigators of this traffic then use the hundreds of Chinese nationals seeking refuge in France to carry out the work, without themselves running the slightest risk. The unfortunate "bag carriers", when they are arrested, lose their refugee card and are sent back to China.
The various cantonal police forces are on the alert. There are grounds therefore to believe that this "yellow peril" will be brought to a speedy conclusion. In the meantime, let's hope simply that Swiss citizens do not become a party to this new form of slavery, post-modern version.
February 28, 2002