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)