Shock twist after 1000 ‘superfake’ designer handbags were sold by popular luxury retailer Cosette
A popular Australian luxury retailer has been given permission by a government agency to sell ‘superfake’ designer handbags.
An extensive investigation by NSW Fair Trading found there was no evidence to support the 1,000 claims that Cosette had sold fake handbags.
Founded in 2015, the company operates as an online multi-brand designer store and has a physical flagship store in The Rocks in Sydney’s CBD.
NSW Fair Trading was inundated by hundreds of disgruntled Cosette customers who claimed they had been sold ‘superfake’ designer bags, the Daily Telegraph reports.
Cosette has consistently denied selling fake designer products.
NSW Fair Trading has confirmed that more than 1,000 complaints have been rejected after working directly with European luxury brands to test the authenticity of the items.
These brands include Prada, Saint Laurent, Gucci, Burberry and Balenciaga.
“Our investigation found no evidence to support allegations that the designer handbags sold by Cosette are fake – each item has been tested and verified as authentic by the brand,” a spokesperson for NSW Fair Trading told Daily Mail Australia.
Cosette was accused of selling ‘superfake’ handbags from luxury brands, including Prada
“In some cases, the luxury brand confirmed the authenticity of handbags that multiple online authenticators had advised customers were fake.”
The regulatory body warned customers to be wary of online authenticators.
“The research shows that there are significant issues with the accuracy and reliability of online authenticators, which use AI and algorithms to provide authentication,” the spokesperson said.
In August 2023, it was reported that NSW Fair Trading had received more than 550 complaints about Cosette on luxury goods worth more than $1 million.
The clearing of Cosette’s name comes after a customer’s claim against the company was dismissed at a separate tribunal.
Cosette was taken to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) by customer Yi Feng Percival, who was awarded a refund for a Saint Laurent Lou camera bag.
NSW Fair Trading has confirmed that more than 1,000 complaints against Cosette have been dismissed, including claims they sold ‘superfake’ Gucci handbags (pictured)
The NCAT had initially ruled that an authenticator had deemed the bag – which retails for $2,550 in Australia – as fake.
Cosette successfully appealed the decision and the customer was ordered to return the refund to the luxury brand.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Cosette and NCAT for comment.