The operation, dubbed “Operation Retro,” involved a complex network of individuals and companies, spanning multiple countries. It targeted the illegal import and distribution of counterfeit goods, specifically focusing on video game consoles and games. The investigation revealed that the ring operated across multiple countries, including Italy, China, and the United States. This international network facilitated the production, distribution, and sale of counterfeit goods, making it difficult to track and dismantle.
Retro gaming has seen a boom in the last couple of years, and with collecting at an all-time high, a very lucrative black market for fake video game cartridges and consoles has grown over the years. These knock-off carts are becoming increasingly more difficult to differentiate from the real deal, although there are online guides and groups dedicated to helping you avoid accidentally buying a fake game or system. In one notable example of the counterfeit gaming market, two hackers participated in an attempt to build a counterfeit Xbox One using stolen data, but they were eventually caught and they pleaded guilty. Back in 2011, Atari accused distributor Tommo of importing bootleg versions of its Flashback 2 plug-and-play console, and for a more recent digital-only example, fake Helldivers 2 game pages appeared on Steam shortly after the game launched to commercial success.
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