PRESS RELEASE: Reports of Counterfeit Products increase 300% to due lockdown restrictions.

Counterfeit International, which operates a dedicated online reporting website for Counterfeit products and online scams, has seen a 300% increase in reports of counterfeit products being sold across Australia over the last two months alone.

Due to the current Covid 19 restrictions, many people are unable to get out to the shops and relying more on online websites to make their purchases.

Adrian Francis, CEO of Counterfeit International said “ We are receiving up to 20 reports a day on our website www.counterfeit.com.au of counterfeit products being sold ranging from designer handbags to non compliant face masks, and even pharmaceuticals.

Shoppers can’t leave home as easily as they used to so many are now resorting to purchasing online and the Covid 19 pandemic has created a breeding ground for scammers and counterfeiters who just want to make a quick dollar”

What has become interesting is that many counterfeit products are being sold at a price only slightly lower or even at the same price as the original thereby decreasing the suspicion that a product may be fake.

Mr Francis has also expressed his concern in the lack of support from some manufacturers who are simple not interested in investigating many of the reports Counterfeit International receives.

Mr Francis said “We have a dedicated team of investigators out on the road each day looking into many of the reports we receive but after contacting the brand owners, over 60% are just not interested in following up even with the solid video evidence that we can provide.

Counterfeit Australia was told by one manufacturer that “Counterfeiting is just a part of doing business” Try telling that to someone who has just paid $600 for a pair of brand name shoes that fall apart after wearing only a few times.

With reports coming in daily ranging from warehouses full of counterfeit face masks to puppy for sale scams, we can only investigate so many reports due to this ongoing lack of support from industry and this becomes increasingly frustrating for both us and the customer.

We would encourage the general public to be vigilant when purchasing online and if you suspect that a product is counterfeit please let us know at counterfeit.com.au and we will have one of our team investigate.