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Fundamentals· 6 min read

Counterfeit Sellers on Amazon: How the Scam Works

From sourcing knockoffs to gaming the Buy Box, here is the anatomy of a counterfeit hijacking operation.

By The Removal Team

Understanding how counterfeit sellers operate is the first step to shutting them down. These are not random opportunists — many run organized operations designed to extract as much revenue as possible before they get caught.

Step one: find a target

Hijackers look for listings with strong sales, weak brand protection, and generic-enough products to fake convincingly. A best-seller without an active trademark is the perfect target.

Step two: source the knockoff

They order cheap replicas that look close enough to pass a glance, often with your brand printed on the packaging. The margin difference funds their aggressive pricing.

Step three: game the Buy Box

  • Undercut your price to win the Buy Box instantly.
  • Use appear/disappear cycles to evade monitoring tools.
  • Rotate seller accounts so a single suspension does not stop them.
The goal is simple: move as many counterfeit units as possible before anyone forces them off.

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