Article Review 2

Article Review #2: Cultural Differences Between Counterfeit Practices and Other Online
Illicit Activities on Social Media
Student Name: Zephaniah Hall
School of Cybersecurity, Old Dominion University
CYSE 201S: Cybersecurity and the Social Sciences
Instructor Name: Diwakar Yalpi
Date: Thursday April 16, 2026
Introduction/BLUF
This study examines counterfeit sales practices on Facebook Marketplace, comparing them with well documented forms of illicit online activity, such as online drug selling. These highlight the criminological significance of counterfeit trade on social media and call for a re-examination of how illegality is constructed, perceived and normalized in digital environments
Relation/Connection to Social Science Principles
The article implements the social science principles in multiple ways. Starting with relativism,
by showing how the increase of the customer to customer (c2c) relationship has increased
through various different ways but social media has increased this type of relationship. While
using Parsimony and objectivity to keep the information related simplistic and focused on the
objective without the promotion of anyone’s point of view. With the type of information related in the article it also is using the empiricism principle and ethical neutrality as well, using research and report findings, as well as not making any assumptions but using determinism to figure out how and why these attacks are happening, and how the counterfeit and illicit activity has become so advanced to the point where it could trick victims. Questioning them very intently
Research Question /Hypothesis/ Independent Variable/Dependent Variable
● Research Question: How do counterfeit sellers mobilize platform affordances to construct
visibility and legitimacy, compared to other illicit online activities
● Hypothesis: Counterfeiters’ practiced could be shaped by social, cultural, and digital
capital, resembling those of other online offenders.
● Independent Variable: Characteristics and types of criminal activity
● Dependent Variable: Account, activity, and semantic characteristics
Types of Research Methods used
The data methods used were mixed, with different evidences from accounts, they were able to
collect the quantitative data, as well as the qualitative data and understand the nature of the
counterfeit items as well as the results of a sample of the results.
Types of Data Analysis used
Facebook Marketplace was used to select based on visual and textual indicators of suspected
counterfeiting, and using the information to create screenshots/images of the things that they
were selling and involvements of said counterfeiting activity and products.
Connections to other Course Concepts
I believe that this study highlights the importance of understanding personality theories and how agreeable/open people are to even buying off of customers to customer sites. I think that a lot of the more open and agreeable people are the ones who fall victim to the counterfeiting in attempts to maybe get new things or experience new cultures and just different things in general.
Connections to the Concerns or contributions of Marginalized Groups
I think that the groups which should be the most concerned are the ones who shop and browse these type of sites, instead of buying from a particular store (from them directly). A lot of people participate in the buying and selling of second hand items/products and are the main ones experiencing the phishing of counterfeit products.
Overall societal contributions of the study/Conclusion
In conclusion, summarize the societal contributions of the study. Without the societal
contributions the distinct patterns of counterfeiting wouldn’t have been discovered. With their tendencies and how they relate to each other, not only the ones suffering from it but the criminals who are doing the phishing. The implications advance our understanding of cybersecurity and
the social sciences by helping us understand the tendencies and how to not be as open and
gullible to fall for fraudulent activity and patterns of being deceived.
Reference
Dumont, Pier-Louis, et al. “International Journal of Cyber Criminology Vol 19 Issue 1
January – June 2025.” Cybercrimejournal.Com, Diamond Open Access, June 2025,
cybercrimejournal.com/menuscript/index.php/cybercrimejournal/article/download/452/13/909.
Article Link:
https://cybercrimejournal.com/menuscript/index.php/cybercrimejournal/article/view/
508/149