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Fakes, Coming to a Store Near You

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the i'm-not-faking-it dept.

fishdan writes to tell us that while most Slashdotters have their own trusted sources for gear there is a growing concern that all consumers should look out for. According to PC World, more and more counterfeit hardware is coming to market each year. From the article: '...batteries aren't the only tech item that counterfeiters love. In October 2004, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in Anchorage, Alaska, seized 20,000 suspected fake Memorex USB memory key thumb drives from Asia. And last year, Miami officials seized 900 allegedly phony laptops valued at $700,000. "Maybe it's a laptop, an MP3 player, or a component like a DVD drive--anything in the digital world can be counterfeited," says Therese Randazzo, a U.S. Customs Service counterfeiting expert.'"

7 of 286 comments (clear)

  1. Act now to stop hardware counterfeiting by Statecraftsman · · Score: 5, Funny
    I've decided to offer my own consumer hardware....ummm....authentication service. If you suspect you are in posession of counterfeit hardware(expecially the xbox 360 or an iPod nano), please send it it to:

    P.O. Box 12345
    Hometown, USA 12345

    Please note that due to cost concerns, your hardware cannot be returned. Thanks and if you include your email address I'll let you know if it's counterfeit.

    (just a joke...please don't actually send me anything cuz that address is extreme bogusness)

    1. Re:Act now to stop hardware counterfeiting by WoodieR · · Score: 3, Funny

      when you make your second million, drop me the first ...

      --
      Question Authority before IT questions You ...
  2. Windows by Freaky+Spook · · Score: 5, Funny

    I think my copy of windows may be counterfeit. Its really slow and every time I open internet explorer I keep getting directed to hardcore porn sites.

  3. Re:I don't get it by The+Clockwork+Troll · · Score: 5, Funny

    Is that the secret of NiMH?

    --

    There are no karma whores, only moderation johns
  4. Fake laptops are almost indistinguishable by SecondHand · · Score: 3, Funny

    See for yourself: http://www.home.ecommerce.hct.ac.ae/news/adwcake.j pg

  5. I've got a fake Music CD by Advocadus+Diaboli · · Score: 4, Funny

    said it comes from Sony/BMG and then it was a rootkit installer. :-)

  6. Re:Wow I'm glad he's an "expert" by WheresMyDingo · · Score: 3, Funny
    Basically anything can be counterfeited. If this guy counts as an expert I'd hate to see a n00b.

    Maybe he's a counterfeit expert?