Counterfeit Electronics Disguised as Domestic Products Flood Russian Market

In Russia, authorities have uncovered the delivery of counterfeit laptops, desktop computers, and servers that were misrepresented as products from the domestic company ICL. State customers received devices adorned with fake logos. Following the discovery of these counterfeits, contracts were terminated, and ICL initiated legal proceedings while also reaching out to law enforcement.

ICL identified the fakes through the government procurement portal. The devices displayed incorrectly formatted serial numbers, and their branding closely imitated the authentic logos. Among the fraudulent supplies were 78 laptops and 159 desktop computers.

The administration of Nevinnomyssk ordered an ICL teamRAY 2042–1U server for 460,000 rubles. Upon inspection, it was revealed that the server had no connection to ICL. The manufacturer took the matter to court and won the case, with the supplier ordered to pay 1.9 million rubles for the unauthorized use of the brand.

The supplier of the counterfeits was identified as «MLC,» a company registered in the Leningrad region. According to publicly available information, MLC has 67 government contracts worth a total of 37 million rubles. In 2024, MLC lost a similar lawsuit with ICL concerning fraudulent supplies in the Primorsky Krai. There is currently another case in court, where ICL seeks 10.4 million rubles from «System Solutions,» which is also accused of selling counterfeits.

This is not the first instance of unregistered devices being passed off as registered products. In 2023, it was revealed that computers under the brand Life Tech were supplied to state customers that were not included in the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s registry. The matter was then referred to the FSB.

Experts believe that the schemes often operate as follows: companies claim to use Russian components, but in reality, they procure Chinese parts and assemble products from them. As a result, state customers receive equipment of unknown origin, while legitimate Russian manufacturers suffer from imitations.

In December 2024, the court rendered a decision in a case involving «LightCom» against blogger Maxim Gorshenin and several video hosting platforms. The court denied «LightCom’s» claims. On September 19, 2023, Gorshenin released a video discussing two chips in a Russian monitor from LightCom that was listed in the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s registry. One chip belonged to the Russian manufacturer «Milandr,» while the other was from the Taiwanese company Realtek. According to him, the Russian chip was almost ineffective, with the Taiwanese component carrying out the task. Both «LightCom» and «Milandr» accused him of engaging in black PR.

According to Vasily Shpak, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, the agency will work on a mechanism for post-purchase verification of equipment. Should counterfeits be identified, suppliers could face criminal charges for fraud. Manufacturers support the idea of mandatory labeling of technology as a means to combat counterfeiting. Thus far, there has been no response from law enforcement to ICL’s appeals.