Police and law enforcement agencies across Europe have participated with Europol to crack down on 4,500 domains that were selling fake name brand items.

The operation was dubbed "Don't F***(AKE) Up.

"The internet has become an essential channel for e-commerce. Its instant global reach and anonymity make it possible to sell nearly anything to anyone at any time," Europol said.

"Counterfeiters know it and are increasingly exploiting the unlimited opportunities" the internet offers.

But Europol warned that "despite these products looking like a bargain, they can pose serious risks to the health and safety of buyers."

The operation was a consortium of 27 nations including the U.S. and Canada. The targeted domains were selling various fake items including "luxury goods, sportswear, spare parts, electronics, pharmaceuticals, toiletries and other fake products."

Many of these fake goods were being sold on social networking sites such as Facebook and Instagram. "This is a relatively new phenomenon in the trade in counterfeit brand names," the Dutch Fiscal Information and Investigation Service (FIOD) said in a statement.

Europol warned consumers that by using illicit websites online shoppers "are exposing your computer or mobile device to cyber-attacks like phishing or malware."

Source: Security Week