Criminals selling fake vintage fashion online

Shoppers are being cautioned to remain alert when purchasing vintage fashion items, both online and in physical stores. A notable incident involved Torbian Dennis, a 23-year-old fashion influencer from Cardiff, who purchased a pair of trainers for £150 from a popular online marketplace. The seller assured him that the trainers were genuine. However, upon receiving the shoes, Torbian had doubts and decided to verify their authenticity using a specialized app. To his dismay, he discovered that the trainers were, in fact, counterfeit. The second-hand clothing market is experiencing significant growth and is projected to reach a staggering value of nearly £300 billion by 2029. This surge is largely attributed to consumers seeking sustainable shopping options and bargains amid the ongoing Cost of Living crisis. Unfortunately, this trend has also attracted criminals who are profiting from selling fake versions of designer clothing, handbags, shoes, and even sports jerseys at prices that suggest they are authentic. Torbian expressed his frustration, stating, 'The sellers assured me they were authentic. ' He admitted to being deceived multiple times while purchasing Nike trainers online. Fortunately, he was able to secure a refund because he used PayPal for the transaction. Torbian believes that while some sellers may genuinely think they are offering real products, not everyone is honest in their dealings. He began shopping for second-hand items due to the high cost of new designer clothing. As the popularity of second-hand fashion continues to rise, consumers are being urged to exercise caution when purchasing pre-loved goods on platforms such as eBay, Vinted, Depop, and Facebook Marketplace, as well as in local vintage shops. Helen Barnham from the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) commented, 'The second-hand market has become really popular, and criminals will use that as an opportunity. ' The IPO is currently investigating whether criminals are attempting to infiltrate supply chains and is concerned that some counterfeit goods may pose safety risks. Barnham added, 'Consumers could be getting ripped off for something they think is genuine but find out it's actually fake and could cause them harm. ' Recent statistics from Citizen's Advice indicate a 30% increase in complaints regarding counterfeit goods sold online over the past year. Individuals or businesses found selling fake items can face severe penalties, including unlimited fines or prison sentences of up to 10 years. Jacob Knight, a second-hand shop owner, has observed a rise in counterfeit goods and believes it is the responsibility of sellers to ensure the authenticity of their products. He stated, 'You've got to do your research and really study and master the craft of telling which is which, as it's such a big problem now. ' Jacob highlighted that popular brands such as Stone Island, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Prada are frequently counterfeited. At 26 years old, he only purchases items from trusted collectors to avoid being deceived. Jacob expressed concern that the increasing prevalence of counterfeit goods could lead to a loss of trust in vintage shops. 'The businesses will suffer, and you won't see them on the high street anymore,' he warned. This issue is also a growing concern for online marketplaces, many of which are positioning themselves as destinations for luxury shopping. In March, Vinted launched its own collection called House of Vinted, featuring second-hand bags, shoes, and clothing from high-end brands like Prada, Gucci, and Jimmy Choo, with some items priced in the thousands. To combat the issue of counterfeit goods, platforms like eBay have introduced authentication services for high-end and expensive items. An eBay representative stated that they have authenticated 10 million luxury items, allowing buyers to feel confident that they are not purchasing fakes. Kirsty Keoghan, eBay's global general manager of fashion, noted that the market for second-hand designer fashion, including items like Nike Air Jordan trainers, Rolex watches, and Hermes Kelly handbags, is 'growing exponentially. ' She explained, 'When things are on trend, or there's a rise in demand, unfortunately, there will be fraudsters out there who will be trying to create inauthentic items. ' eBay is actively working behind the scenes to ensure that counterfeit listings do not appear on their platform. The demand for retro sports kits is also on the rise. Daniel Rees, who buys and sells items such as American football, basketball, rugby, and football shirts, mentioned that at a Wales football game, many of the shirts being sold are likely to be fake. He explained that while some counterfeit items are obvious, others are marketed at prices that suggest they are genuine. Daniel uses product codes, his knowledge of where authentic shirts are made, and what tags should look like to identify real items. Although online marketplaces are not always legally responsible for counterfeit goods sold on their platforms, the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) is advocating for change. They have expressed serious concerns about the increasing number of unsafe or counterfeit products being sold by third parties on online marketplaces. The CTSI is calling for amendments to the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill, currently in Parliament, to hold companies accountable for unsafe counterfeit goods sold on their sites. David MacKenzie from the CTSI stated, 'The CTSI has serious concerns relating to the flood of unsafe or counterfeit products being sold by third parties on online marketplaces in recent years. ' Vinted, Depop, and eBay have all stated that they will suspend or ban users caught selling counterfeit goods. Meta, the parent company of Facebook Marketplace, has indicated that it collaborates closely with law enforcement to support investigations and keep scammers off their platform. They encourage users to be vigilant and check for warning signs that sellers may be fraudulent, such as new or incomplete profiles, and to look at reviews and meet in public spaces. eBay also works with police and regulators to minimize the risk of counterfeit items being sold, as they aim to provide users with a 'safe and trusted' shopping experience.