Buying fakes in Italy-Just don't do it

While you're walking around Rome, you won't be able to miss the street vendors with their handbags, sunglasses, belts and wallets on display on the blankets in the streets. You may be tempted to pick up what seems like a pretty good knock-off of a designer product. But you also won't be able to miss those vendors being chased out of the piazzas by the police. Selling and purchasing counterfeit bags in Italy is against the law and buyers could be liable to fines of up to 10,000 Euros. Not only does the counterfeit industry diminish the value of the genuine products (like this Fendi bag) but the production of counterfeit goods involves all kinds of nefarious activity. Child labor, smuggling, gang violence and drugs are a part of the counterfeit business. Even terrorism is supported by the counterfeit industry. So next time you are tempted to pick up a fake handbag, think twice. Save your money for the real thing.