A new YouTube series hosted by McGruff the Crime Dog aims at shifting the buying behaviours of tweens and teens away from fake products.

Go For Real TV moves McGruff—a long-time staple of television advertising—onto the world of online streaming where young people tune in for entertainment and education.

The series transports viewers to McGruff’s top-secret detective lab and features guests from various industries to teach young people the dangers counterfeit products.

Through Go For Real TV teens and tweens can spot fakes and become dupe detectives with companion online games and other educational material. New episodes will be released monthly.

“Its important for McGruff to reach kids in new and creative ways,” said Paul DelPonte, Executive Director of the National Crime Prevention Council. “Since most fakes are sold online that’s where McGruff needs to be to give kids the life skills they need to stay safe. Kids are smart and don’t want to be duped.”

The series empowers this audience to take the power back from criminals by making smart buying decisions. Fake shoes, luxury items, skin care products and more will be highlighted and exposed. The sale of counterfeit products is a $2 trillion criminal enterprise that affects every industry and causes fires, skin rashes, and even death, especially with the sale of fake pills containing fentanyl.

“The USPTO is working to change the narrative and educating consumers about the dangers and consequences of purchasing counterfeit goods,” said Kathi Vidal, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO. “Education on the dangers of counterfeit goods must start early and that’s why we’ve partnered with NCPC and McGruff the Crime Dog® on the Go For Real campaign.”

McGruff is also on a nation-wide tour that includes school visits and was recently featured on a Daytona International Speedway on the car driven by Joey Gase to help call attention to the dangers of fake auto parts.

The Go For Real campaign is a collaboration between NCPC and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). As part of the multi-year effort, McGruff’s public service announcement will also continue to air on television and radio.

To learn more about the campaign, visit www.ncpc.org/goforreal and stay on McGruff’s tail on social media @McGruffatNCPC.