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Chinese police have seized fake cosmetics worth almost £100 million. The seized products include those packaged to look like famous brands like Chanel, Christian Dior and Estée Lauder.
Police in the country’s eastern Taizhou city discovered the products in 1,200 boxes that were found during seven raids earlier this month.
The operation has seen 15 suspects being detained, and 13 of those have already been charged by prosecutors.
According to state news agency, Xinhua, police began hunting the gang behind the fake cosmetics after they were made aware of a counterfeit toothpaste being sold online a year ago.
It was learnt that the counterfeiters offered instant refunds to anyone who complained about the products in an effort to ensure that grievances did not escalate.
Xinhua said the syndicate had manufactured and distributed “counterfeit top brand cosmetics in Henan, Heilongjiang, Guangdong and Zhejiang provinces”. This month’s haul had a street value of 827 million yuan (£96m).
A gang member told media he bought raw materials for the goods online, while reports also said that bar codes were copied from genuine products.
China struggles to contain a huge industry of counterfeiting, with tens of thousands of people being held each year for making fake goods.
Last month authorities busted a “production hub” of around 50 factories which churned out counterfeit seasoning designed to look like well known brands such as Nestle and Knorr.
The gang used industrial salt and artificial colouring and food additives, at the manufacturing base which was reported to have existed for more than 10 years.