Health warning over fake beauty products

PEOPLE who buy fake versions of well known beauty products from street sellers and market stalls are risking their health and could be helping to fund organised crime say police in Scotland.

Paint stripper, urine and nail varnish remover have all been found in counterfeit goods, according to the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency (SCDEA).

Now, police are to launch a campaign highlighting the differences between genuine and counterfeit products.

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Using fake cosmetics rather than the real thing can lead to serious skin and eye problems – and can provoke allergies that may persist even when people buy real products in the future.

In dodgy products seized by law enforcement agencies in the past, paint stripper and nail varnish have been found in liquid eyeliner, while urine has been discovered in fake perfume – it had been used to mimic stabilisers found in the real product.

Detective Chief Inspector Ronnie Megaughin, of the SCDEA, said people who bought fake goods could be funding other criminal activity.

He said: “Reducing the demand for counterfeit goods is a priority for the SCDEA, as those involved in counterfeiting are very often also involved in other forms of serious organised crime. They channel the money they make from the sale of fake goods into other forms of serious organised crime, such as drug dealing, human trafficking and money laundering. These criminals have no scruples – all they care about is making money – and it would be naive of anyone to think they care about the consequences of selling untested and dangerous products to unwitting consumers.”

He added: “We are urging women to think very carefully before buying fake beauty products or any other counterfeit good.

“It is up to all of us to help tackle this problem and reduce the impact of serious organised crime. The public can help by deciding not to buy fake goods.”

Officers will explain the dangers of falling for fakes at the Girls Day Out event in Edinburgh this weekend. They will show people fake products and help consumers learn to spot the tell-tale signs that products are not the real thing.

Examples of the counterfeit products on display will include Mac make-up, fake tan, Ugg boots, GHD hair irons and over-the-counter medications.

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The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) will join in the drive to warn people of the warnings of counterfeit medicines.

Nimo Ahmed, acting group manager of the MHRA’s Enforcement Group, said: “There are people out there who are determined to profit from counterfeit medicines at the expense of patients and will seek to exploit any opportunity to infiltrate the market.”

Mr Megaughin said: “You should be wary buying any product from an unauthorised source. Ask yourself: would any premium brand use this outlet to sell their products?

“So, if you see perfume and cosmetic products on sale on market stalls, by street traders or on unofficial websites, there is a high chance it could be counterfeit. Don’t be fooled by their tricks.”

Labour’s shadow consumer minister, Ian Murray, said it was important to be on the look-out for fakes.

People should be very wary about goods being counterfeit,” he said. “If you have any suspicion at all, you should report it to trading standards officers immediately.

“If things look counterfeit, they probably are – and it is very important to look at the labelling carefully to make sure things have the proper kitemarks, trademarks and best-before stickers.”