Counterfeit what?

Most western-friendly Chinese hotels have complimentary copies of a local english language newspaper, The China Daily.  Even though this paper, like all in China has limited editorial freedom, it is still enjoyable to read and offers a look into Chinese life that would be easy to miss.  I mostly enjoy reading the crime stories.  Chinese cities are mostly free from violent crime, but fraud and corruption are everywhere and exist at all levels, and the China Daily seems to really enjoy bringing these cases to light

My favorite story from the China Daily on my most recent trip involved, I am not kidding, counterfeit taxi cabs!  The Shanghai goverment estimates that among the aproximately 45,000 licensed cabs in the city, there are close to 5000 fake ones.  These bogus cabs are painted like the real thing, and apparently even have working meters (also counterfeit).  In most cases, the driver operates like a normal taxi, hauling passengers from one place to another and charging the normal rates.  He is just not paying his taxes to the local government or licensing his cab.  It appears, however, that a couple of drivers of fake cabs have taken a more aggressive approach by simply driving to a secluded spot and robbing their unsuspecting customers at knife point. 

China is definately a "buyer beware" society!

Is it real??