99% Of Products Bought Via Unrecognised Apps Are Fake; Rs 6 Crore Of Fake Edible Products Caught In Mumbai

The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has discovered that many daily essentials that people in Mumbai buy online through unrecognised apps are duplicates.

Multiple cases and suspects

The EOW has seized fake copyright items and edible products used as daily needs worth Rs 5 crore in the last eight months and arrested 61 people.

An EOW crime branch (CB) control unit official said 14 cases related to the copyright products and 11 cases regarding other duplicate products have been registered in the city.

The accused have been found to own shops and many of them sell products online.

How people get trapped

People in Mumbai are using these online platforms to buy daily essentials but should be aware that 99 per cent of these products purchased through unrecognised apps are fake and duplicate.

They get fooled by the rates of the merchandise available online which are cheaper compared to genuine products.

Affected items

The authorities have have seized duplicate copyright products like floor cleaners, make-up items, branded shoes, iPhone mobile accessories, single-touch diabetic machine, salt, jeans etc

Duplicate consumable products include palm oil, paneer, milk, lubricants used in bikes, watches, e-cigarettes and other items.

The public has been advised to go to nearby shops, malls, and departmental stores to buy products after checking their expiry date and the company name.

Health hazard

Such duplicate products not only cause losses to the government exchequer but are also hazardous to the health of people.

An official said that they are keeping a close watch on such fake copyright sales and duplicate products, and will deal strictly with those involved.