China raids net $120m of counterfeit cosmetics

Police in eastern China have seized counterfeit cosmetics with a street value of about 827 million yuan (US$120 million).

The items include such labels as Chanel, Christian Dior, Estee Lauder, Lancome and L’Oreal.

Police raided seven underground dens in the city of Taizhou, seizing more than 1200 boxes of counterfeit products, according to local authorities quoted on an official Sina Weibo microblog.
They say police identified the counterfeit cosmetic gangs last year after reports of fake Amway products being sold online.
The cosmetics bust underlines the challenge brands face in China, where counterfeit and knock-off products can range from personal-care items to food products, medicines and even cars, reports the Asia Times.

The country has been trying to crack down on fakes, with authorities opening more than 170,000 cases of intellectual-property infringement and counterfeit products last year, arresting nearly 20,000 suspects.

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