In early 2000s and '10s, the Silk
Market in Beijing was among the "must-visit" places.
Although there undoubtedly were vendors selling bed sheets and
bathrobes made of the prized material, it was also a hotspot for counterfeit
goods. All one had to do was ask and a spritely vendor would
pull out a Dior or Prada bag, offering a starting price fractions
of what the original item would cost. Haggling is a must and would
reduce the price even further. While many such markets continue to
exist, regulators have put in restrictions and continue to shut
down such illegal practices. As with every other aspect of modern
life, the proliferation of the internet has changed the way
counterfeit goods are sold. Twenty or even ten years ago,
counterfeiting was an underground operation, much like the Silk
Market sellers concealing fake purses in storage bins. As social
media rose to prominence, however, you don't need to go far to
browse for counterfeit goods – create an Instagram
