Black Friday shoppers warned about ‘Del Boy’ traders selling fake goods on Facebook and Instagram
Criminals are taking to social media to sell knock-offs for huge profits in the lead up to Christmas
TRADING standards bosses have warned punters to steer clear of cheap Black Friday designer bargains offered on Facebook and Instagram by Del Boy traders.
Criminals are making a mint flogging fake must-have designer gear like Michael Kors bags and Ralph Lauren shirts on social media.
And they’ll ramp up their trade as Britain gears up for the Christmas rush by offering tempting Black Friday deals – just like reputable retailers – in the coming days.
Trading standards bosses have revealed there are thousands of dodgy traders selling must-have designer gear at knock-down prices because it is counterfeit.
And the trade is funding drug-runners, people smugglers and vice gangs.
Now a specialist unit is working with Facebook and other social media sites to close down the rogue traders.
It has dozens investigations underway into the biggest dealers and officers are set to carry-out raids on warehouses and premises where an Aladdin's cave of millions pounds worth of gear is reckoned to be stored.
Mike Andrews, of the National Trading Standards eCrime team, said: "There are literally thousands of people on social media selling but we are working hard to close them down.
"People might think they are buying a bargain from a chap down the road who has some goods to sell but ultimately the people behind shipping in these goods in bulk are organised gangs and the money filters through to activities like prostitution, guns and drugs."
The traders offer their cut price gear - like Michael Kors and Louis Vuitton bags and purses for as little as £25 or designer Lacoste or Ralph Lauren shirts for just £15 - on local selling pages.
They have moved on from flogging their hooky wears on market stalls and at car boot sales where there was a greater chance of being caught in favour of sites like Facebook, where unlike ebay - listings are free and can be set up with an unregistered mobile phone.
Buyers place their orders and the fraudsters will often offer home deliver or meet in a local pub car park to hand over purchase.
The consumer boss also warned that counterfeit electrical goods like fake GHD straighteners and hairdryers are often unsafe and could kill or cause fires.
And faked designer perfume is often mixed with horse urine to give it the desired colour in the bottle.
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