Indian police seize fake cosmetics in wholesale raid

Police in India have seized fake cosmetics worth $22,000 (€17,000) in a raid on a wholesale trader.

The police acted on a tip-off that the wholesaler was selling counterfeit lipsticks, eyeliner and other cosmetic products that used the brand of a well known international company. A raid confirmed possession of counterfeit cosmetics but the wholesale trader escaped from police.

Discovery of counterfeit cosmetics in Ludhiana comes one month after a raid 300km south in Delhi found fakes worth $90,000. In the Delhi case police were tipped-off by a private detective who searches for fakes on behalf of the original manufacturer.

Data suggest cosmetics manufacturers are right to suspect fake versions of their products are on sale in India. This month the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India said fake cosmetics and herbal medicines account for one-quarter of the country’s counterfeit sector.