Amazon's $180M victory over its counterfeit crisis

Amazon just launched 27 more satellites—but don’t zone out yet. 🛰️

This isn’t just a science project. It’s Amazon’s big bet to bring fast, affordable internet to even the most remote corners of the world.

Maybe so you can still check out… even when you’re in the middle of nowhere.

• Amazon scored $180M in its counterfeit war 💥
• Sell on Walmart for back-to-school 🏫
• TikTok’s AI influencers are outselling humans 🤖
• Owning your digital assets is non-negotiable 🔐

BLACK MARKET

Counterfeits have long haunted ecommerce—hijacking listings and chipping away at buyer trust. So five years ago, Amazon had enough and launched its own global crime-fighting squad: the Counterfeit Crimes Unit (CCU).

Their mission: Hunt down fakes and take the fight directly to the fraudsters.

⚔️ Criminal crackdown

According to Amazon, the CCU has been busy racking up the stats:

• Expanded from 2 to 12 countries
• Built 50+ government partnerships (up from just 7)
• Blocked 99% of suspect listings before brands flagged them—thanks to AI
• Filed 200+ civil suits and recovered $180M+ in court wins
• Helped convict 65+ counterfeiters, including a 6.5-year prison sentence

💎 One standout win: A multi-year sting with jewelry giant Pandora that exposed a counterfeit operation across nine European countries. The investigation, backed by Amazon’s evidence, led to convictions and serious jail time in China.

🛡️ This is seller armor

With fewer knockoffs polluting the platform, sellers face less brand erosion, fewer hijacked listings, and more room to grow. And it’s not just about profits, counterfeits can be dangerous. 

Faulty chargers, bogus supplements, fake car parts? They’re not just ripoffs—they’re risks.

TOGETHER WITH WALMART MARKETPLACE

Start selling on Walmart.com by July to capture peak back-to-school sales

Walmart is one of the world's most recognizable brands with over 255 million customers and members shopping at Walmart online and in-store around the world each week. New-Seller Savings run from sign up to January 31, 2026, so don’t wait—the faster you start,

Back-to-school seasonal demand is second only to the holiday season with highly promoted sales that can drive traffic, boost your brand and fuel sales. Launch your store now to ensure you're selling in time to capitalize on the back-to-school traffic surge.

Right now, Walmart’s New-Seller Savings event is offering new sellers up to $75K in incentives, which includes up to 75% off base referral fees and generous credits toward advertising and fulfillment.*  

Walmart is one of the world's most recognizable brands with over 255 million customers and members shopping at Walmart online and in-store around the world each week. New-Seller Savings runs from sign up to January 31, 2026, so don’t wait—the faster you start, the more opportunities you’ll have to save. 

To take advantage of this unprecedented offer and the endless opportunities on Walmart.com.  

*Conditions apply. 

Join Walmart Marketplace Today.

BITES OF THE WEEK

• June Roundup: Here's a recap of what you missed in Amazon Seller Central Forums this month.
• TikTok’s Prime Day: TikTok's #DealsForYouDays campaign is coming back this July 7-19 with up to 60% off on brands. 
• Saved by Ecommerce: A recent study showed the positive impact of ecommerce on many business owners.
• Chinese Beauty Booms: Thanks to social platforms RedNote and TikTok, more people are discovering Chinese beauty brands.

HOT TOPIC

Tiktok's AI influencers might be better at selling than humans

Did you know shoppers are getting sick of influencers? TikTok did—and built AI to replace them.

According to AI for Ecommerce and Amazon Sellers, TikTok dropped its new Symphony AI suite at Cannes Lions, letting brands create AI avatars that model products, demo apps, and generate content at scale. 

🎥 Answer to influencer headaches

It’s a little uncanny, sure. But it’s fast, cheap, endlessly customizable. Here’s what it brings to the table:

• AI avatars turn static product shots into lifelike videos with built-in context
• No more paying per post or managing flaky influencer schedules
• Seamlessly integrates with Adobe Express and WPP Open
• Great for demo-heavy products like wearables, gadgets, and tools that need motion

🎭 The reality check

While synthetic content is efficient, it lacks the authenticity that makes influencer marketing powerful in the first place. 

Consumers trust real people—not AI clones—especially when it comes to recommendations.

Still, for sellers with video-worthy products and a limited budget, TikTok’s avatar army might be worth testing.

TECH MARKETING

5 reasons you should own your digital assets

If you don’t own your digital assets, do you really own your business?

That’s the question from Porter Pro Media. Without control over your site, social accounts, and customer data, you’re one platform glitch or ghosted vendor away from chaos.

🏁 Brand power starts here

More than just assets, here’s what you gain:

• Control: You set the rules—no platform policies or third-party access dictating your brand.
• Independence: If a social platform vanishes or a freelancer disappears, your business doesn’t.
• Mobility: Need to switch email providers or rebuild your site? Easy, if you actually own the back end.
• Data access: First-party data like email lists and behavior tracking is gold—but only if you hold the keys.
• Brand safety: Your brand voice stays consistent, and rogue messaging is kept in check.

💡 Take charge early

Waiting until you're scaling—or scrambling—is risky. Owning your digital assets means building real equity and long-term resilience, not just surviving the next algorithm update.