Holiday shoppers are being urged to beware of counterfeit designer goods as experts warn it is becoming increasingly difficult to tell the difference between counterfeit items and the real thing.
According to the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC), the global counterfeit goods economy has grown to an estimated $2.3 trillion worldwide.
And experts warn the problem is becoming increasingly dangerous as even electrical appliances and cosmetics are affected, putting buyers at risk. The NCPC estimates that counterfeit goods cause approximately 70 deaths and 350,000 serious injuries each year in the US.
Consumer advocate Craig Crosby, who runs the website The false reporttold DailyMail.com: 'The counterfeit goods market is exploding not only in numbers, but also in the volume of products being counterfeited.
'We all know to be careful of fake sunglasses and Rolexes. But now it is products such as children's toys and electrical appliances that are being counterfeited online.'
Holiday shoppers are being urged to beware of counterfeit designer goods as experts warn it is becoming increasingly difficult to tell the difference between counterfeit items and the real thing. Can you tell the difference between these fakes and the real deal? Scroll down for full answers
Crosby started his site in 2012 after noticing how many batteries he bought leaked or broke before their expiration date. He realized the problem was that they were counterfeit.
Now he has software that alerts him to counterfeit products on major retail websites. Since launch, it has helped remove 430 million counterfeit items from eBay, Amazon and Walmart.
He said: 'When people ask me what kind of products are counterfeit, I tell them: what isn't counterfeit? Counterfeit goods are now the largest criminal enterprise in the world.”
Data from the National Crime Prevention Council (NPCP) estimates that counterfeit products now represent 3.3 percent of global trade.
A separate survey by the U.S. Government Accountability Office found that as many as 25 percent of consumers have purchased a counterfeit product online.
Historically, the problem has been concentrated in second-hand online stores such as Facebook Marketplace.
Photos from The Counterfeit Report show just how compelling counterfeit products sold online have become. The MAC Mineralize Blush 'warm Soul' product on the left is the real product, while the one on the right is a fake product that sold for $5
Pictured on the left is an authentic Michael Kors Rose Blair Glitz watch, while on the right is a fake watch that sold for $13
Pictured on the left is a genuine North Face jacket, while the product on the right is a fake product advertised at $29
An authentic Michael Kors Gia Crocodile Satchel is pictured on the left, while a fake is pictured on the right.
And in the past, consumers knowingly purchased counterfeit goods to give the impression that they had designer products – at a discounted price.
But counterfeit products are now so convincing that consumers often can't tell the difference.
Paul Delponte, executive director at the NPCP, told DailyMail.com: 'Many consumers will be surfing online in the run-up to the holidays.
'The general rule is: if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Most counterfeit products violate consumer protection laws and the consequences can be dangerous. Even pharmaceuticals and skin care products are now being counterfeited.'
In 2018, a federal investigation purchased a total of 47 products from third-party sellers hosted on reputable e-commerce websites: Amazon, Walmart, Ebay, Sears Marketplace, and Newegg.
The products that were scammed included: Urban Decay makeup, Yeti travel mugs, and Nike Air Jordan shoes.
The report, prepared by the U.S. Government Accountability Office, notes that counterfeit products can harm people.
Authentic UGG boots are pictured on the left, while the right is fake
Images from The Counterfeit Report show how sophisticated counterfeit products have become. The image on the left is a real 'Ove' oven glove, while the one on the right is a fake
Lego is also often imitated by counterfeit manufacturers. The image on the left is real, while the right is a fake version
A 2018 federal study shows the difference between a real Urban Decay product, left, and a fake version sold online
A study into 400 fake iPhone adapters found some 'posed a risk of fatal electrocution', while counterfeit travel mugs contained higher than permitted levels of lead.
Counterfeit cosmetics have also been found to contain hazardous materials including “cyanide, arsenic, mercury, lead, urine and rat feces.”
Amazon in particular has come under fire for the explosion of counterfeit products sold through third parties on its website.
Beware of counterfeits this Christmas! Experts warn shoppers not to get stung by dupes this holiday season after counterfeit economy soars to $2 trillion