FDA Seized US$2.1Million in Counterfeit Cosmetics Products
Consumer protection authorities have seized over US$2.1 million worth of counterfeit cosmetics products bearing the names of 18 brands in a raid on a house in Bangkok’s Suan Luang district.
Five people, including a Vietnamese national believed to be the ringleader, are still being sought in connection with the offenses.
The counterfeit cosmetics seizure was announced on Friday at a briefing held by the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD) of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
After an investigation revealed that the house was being used to store counterfeit cosmetic products, a team of police and FDA officials searched it with a search warrant issued by the criminal court.
Cosmetics Products Sold Online
Pol Col Thanakorn Lerdporncharoen, deputy head of the CPPD, said the Food and Drug Administration received many complaints that people have purchased well-known brands of cosmetics online, only to learn that they were fakes and substandard.
According to Pol Col Thanakorn, the fake cosmetics products were stored in a house rented by a Vietnamese national.
The offenders will face charges for selling cosmetics without Thai labels, for selling cosmetics that didn’t meet regulations, and for possessing products that had counterfeit certifications or trademarks with the intent to sell.
Abnormalities and Skin Rashes
Pol Col Thanakorn said an investigation found five people were involved and that they had been carrying on the online cosmetics business for at least six months.
According to police, a Vietnamese national living abroad is behind the business and some Thai people are hired to open bank accounts to receive money transfers.
A preliminary investigation estimated that US$3.1 million in fake cosmetics products had been online. Police are extending their investigation to arrest those involved.
Dr. Withit Saritdeechaikul, of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), said the counterfeit cosmetics products cause abnormalities and skin rashes when used.
They created a website to sell the fake brand name products for cheap prices, offering promotional campaigns to promote their products, he said.
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