In the wake of recent events, a lawsuit was filed by Amazon, world’s leading e-commerce company, against 13 individuals and businesses including two social media influencers.
The lawsuit was filed in the US District Court for the Western District of Washington against the individuals for allegedly advertising, promoting and facilitating the sale of fake luxury goods in Amazon’s store, violating the policies of the company and tricking the customers of the company.
According the lawsuit filed by Amazon, Kelly Fitzpatrick and Sabrina Kelly-Krejci plotted the scheme with the sellers to dodge and save themselves from Amazon’s anti-counterfeiting protections. They achieved this by promoting the fake products on Instagram and TikTok as well as with the means of their own websites.
“These defendants were brazen about promoting counterfeits on social media and undermined the work of legitimate influencers,” Cristina Posa, Associate General Counsel and Director, Amazon Counterfeit Crimes Unit, said in a statement.
“This case demonstrates the need for cross-industry collaboration in order to drive counterfeiters out of business,” Posa said, adding that social media sites must vet, monitor, and take action on bad actors that are using their services to facilitate illegal behavior.
Fitzpatrick used to be a member of Amazon Influencer Program, but she was removed from the program as soon as Amazon find out her counterfeiting activities.
However, even after being banned by Amazon, she continued to advertise the fake products using social media platforms which directed followers to her own website.