A few years back an engine fell off a passenger jet in flight and the safety board investigation sent a chill through the spine of intending airline passengers. They discovered that the bolts holding the engine onto the transponder strut were counterfeit and lacked the strength to safely do the job.
As the investigation widened, the depth of this deception became clear. Aircraft spare parts are very pricey because genuine parts made under license must meet exacting standards established when the aircraft is first designed. To ensure that this is met each part must be accompanied by a signed off certificate from a licensing inspector.
To the industries horror, it was discovered that a counterfeit industry had emerged that was making what seemed to be identical parts but which lacked the careful amalgamation of special steels and alloys to gain the required strength. These were authenticated by forged certificates that would pass even the closest inspection.
Mild steel bolts that cost a few dollars in a hardware store were duplicating hardened steel components that would be priced at several hundred dollars each - and making a fortune for the counterfeiters. It was even discovered that these forgeries were installed on Air Force One - which carried the US president.
The resulting crackdown drove these counterfeiters out of business, but it seems that they have simply changed directions and are now targetting the vast automotive spare parts industry. What is on offer bearing the car manufacturers logo and packed in boxes identical with the genuine parts may be cheap copies which lack the strength to safely do the intended job.
This is not an offer of anonymous goods of a "cheap and cheerful " nature for those who want to take a chance on unbranded equipment. These are presented as genuine spare parts produced by the manufacturer of the make and model involved and intended to bring the vehicle to showroom standard. They are intended to deceive.
A raid on warehouses and distribution centres at the Middle East air hub of Abu Dhabi discovered 500,000 fake and counterfeit parts intended for distribution across Asia, with many intended for sale in Australia. Their value was estimated at $ 5.4 million. It is feared that much of the stock on the shelves of car part suppliers here may already be counterfeit.
The danger is obvious. The car repair industry has no reason to suspect that these are not genuine parts and if they fail in road conditions they can lead to serious accidents and fatalities. Perhaps the recent blip in road deaths may be part of this phenomenon.
The world aircraft industry tightened the screws on parts identification and it seems that the car industry must take similar measures. Perhaps the pharmaceutical industry would be wise to check the authenticity of drugs coming into this country. The lure of making big profits from counterfeiting genuine goods seems to be an ever expanding industry.
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