Amazon Expands Anti-Counterfeit Unit In India To Protect 1.7 Million Sellers and Consumers: CCU Chief
New Delhi: US-based e-commerce and technology giant Amazon is expanding the operations of its Counterfeit Crimes Unit (CCU) in India as it majorly steps up efforts to protect 1.7 million Indian sellers and consumers from counterfeit products, CCU Director Kebharu Smith said on Friday. In an interview with IANS, Smith said the unit -- which was launched in June 2020 -- is a global team with…
Amazon is expanding its Counterfeit Crimes Unit (CCU) in India to safeguard 1.7 million sellers and consumers from counterfeit products. CCU Director Kebharu Smith revealed this in an interview with IANS, stating that the unit, which was established in June 2020, is a global team with members in India pursuing over 32,000 bad actors worldwide through civil litigation and legal referrals to law enforcement.
Amazon collaborates with more than 1.7 million sellers in India, with half of them hailing from tier two and tier three cities. Smith emphasized that Amazon's mission is to confront these counterfeiters. The CCU's expansion in India aims to bolster efforts on the ground and enhance cooperation with local law enforcement agencies.
Amazon facilitated the identification, seizure, and disposal of over 15 million counterfeit products globally in 2025, conducting more than 70 raids against counterfeit manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors.
Since its inception, the CCU has targeted more than 32,000 bad actors, resulting in more than $300 million in court-ordered restitution and the incarceration of over 290 criminals. In April, Amazon released its first global Trustworthy Shopping Experience Report, detailing its use of proactive controls, seller verification, brand-protection tools, and enforcement partnerships to combat such activities.
More than 15,000 employees at Amazon India work to protect customers from scams, fraud, and abuse, proactively blocking over 285 million suspected fake reviews in 2025. As India's festive shopping season approaches, Smith reiterated that customer trust and product authenticity are central to Amazon's strategy.
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