The high cost of cheap clothes: Unraveling fraud in fast fashion

In an article Wren Montgomery contributed to, Fraud Magazine investigates not only the moral, ethical, and environmental issues present in the fast fashion industry, but fraud and illegal activity itself.

The piece shares implications for customs fraud, counterfeit goods, and forced labour. Wren Montgomery chimes in on the deceit present through acts of greewashing sharing that brands often “engage in “selective disclosure” by promoting a sustainable "hero product" while "hiding a lot of dirty laundry elsewhere.” Vague, difficult-to-define labels such as “eco," “green” and “conscious” remain common because they appeal to consumers but are hard to verify.” She also shares that regulatory scrutiny of such claims "has never been higher and seems to only be growing across all countries.”

Wren expects enforcement against greenwashing to become as robust as enforcement for financial or accounting fraud, since consumers are increasingly basing their purchasing decisions on sustainability claims.