Attorney Gabriel Turcu was invited to the television program “PUNCTUL CRITIC,” broadcast live on TVR 1, in an edition dedicated to an increasingly topical and complex issue:
“The Market of Illusion – Romania and Counterfeit Products. What Price Do We Pay for Cheap Goods?”
Romania has become one of the European markets most exposed to the trade in counterfeit products—from clothing and cosmetics to medicines and automotive parts. In 2024, the authorities seized more than 3.8 million counterfeit items, a figure that highlights the scale of the phenomenon. In the pursuit of bargains, many consumers purchase fake products, sometimes knowingly, ignoring the real risks to health, safety, and the economy.
During the debate moderated by Ramona Avramescu, Attorney Gabriel Turcu analyzed the underlying causes of this “economic epidemic”, including:
- the explosive growth of online commerce, where cloned websites and “phantom discounts” create a parallel market for counterfeit goods;
- the increasingly influential role of content creators and influencers, who promote fashion and beauty products, raising the issue of their responsibility for the legality of the products they endorse;
- the significant impact on companies that invest in innovation, intellectual property, and authentic brands;
- the lack of consumer education needed to distinguish between an original product and a dangerous counterfeit.
A debate on the true cost of cheap products—caught between apparent savings, hidden risks, and eroded trust.