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18/05/2015
Police Issue Warning Over Fake Beauty Products
A warning has been issued by the City of London Police regarding the risks posed by fake beauty products.
The warning comes after it was revealed consumers spend at least £90m a year on fake goods.
An awareness campaign, 'Wake up – don't fake up!' has now been launched by the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) to inform consumers of the risks involved by counterfeit products. This includes make-up, perfume, electrical equipment and sun cream. Around £90m is said to be spent on fake goods each year in the UK, with this figure ever-increasing due to the popularity of the internet and the use of auction sites, online market places, rogue websites and social media.
In the last 18 months alone, PIPCU said it had suspended more than 5,500 websites selling fake luxury branded goods, as well as seizing more than £3.5m worth of fake goods. In addition, the percentage of fake goods seized by customs because of health and safety concerns to consumers has doubled in recent years.
Lab tests have revealed the counterfeit products often contain poisonous chemicals such as cyanide and human urine, while fake cosmetics such as eyeliner, mascara, lipgloss and foundation have been found to contain toxic levels of arsenic, mercury and lead. These can cause allergic reactions, such as skin irritation, swelling, rashes and burns as well as leaving the consumer with longer term health problems.
The force said that counterfeit make-up is often produced in unsanitised and unhygienic factories, and there have been cases where rats' droppings and poison have been found in the fake products. With fake electrical beauty goods, these could cause electrocution or overheat and catch fire, putting homes and lives at risk.
Detective Superintendent Maria Woodall, City of London Police, who oversees PIPCU, said: "Criminals are exploiting every opportunity to fool customers into buying counterfeits in order for them to make some quick cash – putting peoples' health, homes and lives at risk.
"Beauty products are meant to enhance your features however the fakes can in fact do quite the opposite. Our general rule is; if it seems too good to be true then it probably is.
"Not only could these products have serious implications to your health and wellbeing but by simply going online and buying from a rogue site or dealer, your personal and financial information is at risk.
"We have had victims who have bought fake items online only to discover later that the criminals behind the site have used their payment details to make further purchases or even use their personal details to set up hundreds of illegal sites selling counterfeit goods."
(JP)
The warning comes after it was revealed consumers spend at least £90m a year on fake goods.
An awareness campaign, 'Wake up – don't fake up!' has now been launched by the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) to inform consumers of the risks involved by counterfeit products. This includes make-up, perfume, electrical equipment and sun cream. Around £90m is said to be spent on fake goods each year in the UK, with this figure ever-increasing due to the popularity of the internet and the use of auction sites, online market places, rogue websites and social media.
In the last 18 months alone, PIPCU said it had suspended more than 5,500 websites selling fake luxury branded goods, as well as seizing more than £3.5m worth of fake goods. In addition, the percentage of fake goods seized by customs because of health and safety concerns to consumers has doubled in recent years.
Lab tests have revealed the counterfeit products often contain poisonous chemicals such as cyanide and human urine, while fake cosmetics such as eyeliner, mascara, lipgloss and foundation have been found to contain toxic levels of arsenic, mercury and lead. These can cause allergic reactions, such as skin irritation, swelling, rashes and burns as well as leaving the consumer with longer term health problems.
The force said that counterfeit make-up is often produced in unsanitised and unhygienic factories, and there have been cases where rats' droppings and poison have been found in the fake products. With fake electrical beauty goods, these could cause electrocution or overheat and catch fire, putting homes and lives at risk.
Detective Superintendent Maria Woodall, City of London Police, who oversees PIPCU, said: "Criminals are exploiting every opportunity to fool customers into buying counterfeits in order for them to make some quick cash – putting peoples' health, homes and lives at risk.
"Beauty products are meant to enhance your features however the fakes can in fact do quite the opposite. Our general rule is; if it seems too good to be true then it probably is.
"Not only could these products have serious implications to your health and wellbeing but by simply going online and buying from a rogue site or dealer, your personal and financial information is at risk.
"We have had victims who have bought fake items online only to discover later that the criminals behind the site have used their payment details to make further purchases or even use their personal details to set up hundreds of illegal sites selling counterfeit goods."
(JP)
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23 July 2007
British shoppers 'happy to buy fake goods'
Increasing numbers of shoppers are happy to buy fake luxury goods, according to a new report. The Counterfeiting Luxury study of 2,000 people, by law firm Davenport Lyons, found that two thirds of consumers were happy to own fake clothing, footwear, watches and other items - a rise of 20% on last year's figures.
British shoppers 'happy to buy fake goods'
Increasing numbers of shoppers are happy to buy fake luxury goods, according to a new report. The Counterfeiting Luxury study of 2,000 people, by law firm Davenport Lyons, found that two thirds of consumers were happy to own fake clothing, footwear, watches and other items - a rise of 20% on last year's figures.
18 November 2009
Fake Goods Seized In West Yorkshire
Three men have been arrested and counterfeit goods seized in Huddersfield as part of a joint operation between West Yorkshire Police and Revenue & Customs. The men, aged 19, 24, and 30, were detained on suspicion of producing and selling fake and imitation goods, and for immigration offences, after officers attended an address on Bradford Road.
Fake Goods Seized In West Yorkshire
Three men have been arrested and counterfeit goods seized in Huddersfield as part of a joint operation between West Yorkshire Police and Revenue & Customs. The men, aged 19, 24, and 30, were detained on suspicion of producing and selling fake and imitation goods, and for immigration offences, after officers attended an address on Bradford Road.
02 May 2013
Man Jailed For Selling Fake Bomb Detectors
A man has been jailed for 10 years after being found guilty of selling fake bomb detectors. Appearing at the Old Bailey, James McCormick, 56, from Somerset was said to have perpetrated a "callous confidence trick", the BBC has said. It is believed McCormick made £50m from sales, selling around £26.
Man Jailed For Selling Fake Bomb Detectors
A man has been jailed for 10 years after being found guilty of selling fake bomb detectors. Appearing at the Old Bailey, James McCormick, 56, from Somerset was said to have perpetrated a "callous confidence trick", the BBC has said. It is believed McCormick made £50m from sales, selling around £26.
15 December 2004
Government warns of hazardous fake cigarettes
Customs Minister John Healey has launched a campaign warning smokers tempted to buy cheap smuggled cigarettes that increasing numbers of hazardous fake cigarettes are being sold on streets, in pubs and in markets around the UK.
Government warns of hazardous fake cigarettes
Customs Minister John Healey has launched a campaign warning smokers tempted to buy cheap smuggled cigarettes that increasing numbers of hazardous fake cigarettes are being sold on streets, in pubs and in markets around the UK.
22 March 2010
UK and US Counterfeit Ring Smashed
The largest haul of counterfeit goods in UK history has been seized by police as part of a joint operation by authorities in London and America. Six men have been arrested as part of the trans-Atlantic investigation into sophisticated organised crime. US forces also held nine others in connection with the seizure.
UK and US Counterfeit Ring Smashed
The largest haul of counterfeit goods in UK history has been seized by police as part of a joint operation by authorities in London and America. Six men have been arrested as part of the trans-Atlantic investigation into sophisticated organised crime. US forces also held nine others in connection with the seizure.
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