Fraudology Podcast with Karisse Hendrick

Behind Amazon’s Counterfeit Crime Unit with Kebharu Smith

10 snips

Jul 29, 2025

Kebharu Smith, Associate General Counsel and Director of Amazon's Counterfeit Crimes Unit, shares his journey from federal prosecutor to combating online counterfeiting. He discusses Amazon's significant investments in AI and technology to enhance fraud detection. The conversation dives into surprising successes in collaborating with Chinese authorities. Smith highlights the serious implications of counterfeiting, linking it to human trafficking and terrorism financing. This insightful dialogue underscores the importance of consumer safety and collaboration in the e-commerce landscape.

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ANECDOTE

Kebharu's Fraud Beginnings

Kebharu Smith got started in fraud prevention by prosecuting counterfeit Viagra and organized retail crime cases in Texas.
These early cases involved trafficking and smuggling, blending intellectual property crime with other criminal offenses.

INSIGHT

Aggressive Anti-Counterfeiting Approach

Amazon aggressively fights counterfeiters through lawsuits and law enforcement referrals worldwide.
Sharing real-time, detailed data helps disrupt counterfeit operations effectively.

INSIGHT

Global Law Enforcement Partnerships

Amazon's partnerships with global law enforcement result in raids and arrests targeting counterfeit manufacturers.
Working with Chinese authorities helps stop counterfeit products at their source before they reach consumers.

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In this episode of Fraudology, host Karisse Hendrick sits down with Kebharu Smith, the Associate General Counsel and Director of the Counterfeit Crimes Unit at Amazon, to dive deep into the world of online counterfeiting. Kebharu Smith shares fascinating insights from his journey as a former prosecutor to leading Amazon's aggressive efforts against counterfeiters. Listeners will gain an insider's perspective on how Amazon is leveraging cutting-edge technology, partnerships with law enforcement, and innovative legal strategies to combat the global scourge of counterfeit products.

The conversation explores Amazon's multi-pronged approach, including their billion-dollar investment in AI and machine learning tools, empowering brands through programs like Project Zero, and the Counterfeit Crimes Unit's relentless pursuit of bad actors through civil lawsuits and criminal referrals. Kebharu Smith reveals surprising successes in partnering with Chinese authorities to take down counterfeit manufacturers at the source. He also discusses new and evasive schemes like social media influencers promoting counterfeits, and how Amazon is adapting to stay ahead of fraudsters.

Perhaps most compellingly, Kebharu Smith emphasizes that counterfeiting is far from a victimless crime, often intertwined with human trafficking, terrorism financing, and other serious offenses. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in e-commerce, brand protection, cybercrime, or the intricate world of online fraud prevention. Tune in to understand the high-stakes battle being waged to keep online marketplaces safe and trustworthy for consumers and brands alike.

To connect with Kebharu on LinkedIn:

Kebharu Smith

Amazon's Annual Brand Protection Report:

https://trustworthyshopping.aboutamazon.com/2024-brand-protection-report

Fraudology is hosted by Karisse Hendrick, a fraud fighter with decades of experience advising hundreds of the biggest ecommerce companies in the world on fraud, chargebacks, and other forms of abuse impacting a company's bottom line.

Connect with her on LinkedIn

She brings her experience, expertise, and extensive network of experts to this podcast weekly, on Tuesdays.