A new report published by the United Nations claims that the counterfeit goods trade is being controlled by organized crime syndicates.

From the AP:

Counterfeiting is a dangerous and growing enterprise controlled by organized criminals who are exploiting the same trade routes used for trafficking drugs, arms and human beings, the United Nations said in a report released Friday.

The articles mentions that Chinese traids, Japanese Yakuza, the Neopolitan Camorra, and Russian Mafia are involved in the counterfeit goods trade.

Read the report, Counterfeiting: A global spread, a global threat.

The Counterfeit Goods and Piracy market is listed at $527 Billion.