NBI seizes fake perfumes, cosmetics from Manila mall

National Bureau of Investigation-Intellectual Property personnel confiscate fake beauty products from China during a raid on a mall in Sta. Cruz, Manila, on Monday. NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines—Hundreds of counterfeit perfume and makeup products were seized by National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents during a raid on a mall in Sta. Cruz, Manila, on Monday afternoon.

About 500 fake DKNY and Clinique Happy perfumes and MAC Cosmetics products sold at Isetann Department Store on the second floor of Isetann Mall on C. M. Recto Avenue were confiscated by authorities after distributors of the original products filed a complaint.

NBI head agent Danielito Lalusis told the Inquirer that the fake products, which were being sold at lower prices, could pose serious threats to the health of consumers as these may contain dangerous chemicals that could cause skin rashes and diseases.

“We conducted the raid after we obtained a search warrant for the department store following a complaint by distributors of the original products,” Lalusis said.

Estee Lauder Philippines intellectual property (IP) consultant Loy Ocampo said that they sought the help of the NBI after they conducted a test buy at the mall and its branches in Carriedo, Manila and Cubao in Quezon City. The international company manufactures and markets DKNY and Clinique Happy fragrances as well as MAC Cosmetics products.

“Based on the information we gathered, these fake products are manufactured in China and exported to our country,” Ocampo added, as he noted that many stalls in Divisoria were also selling these counterfeit goods.

The IP consultant said that the sale of the imitation products not only affected their sales but also tarnished the reputation of the brand.

“As a manufacturer of world-class products, we do not want to create a bad impression among customers with our products,” he added.

NBI investigation agent Rodolfo M. Ignacio Jr. added that this was their first operation in the mall although he noted that they also raided two other popular establishments eight years ago to seize fake beauty products.

Lalusis warned the public against buying imitation products, saying it was easy to tell the original from the fake. Although the packaging may be very similar, he said that the boxes and plastic wrappers of the counterfeit products were of low quality.

“We discourage consumers from buying beauty items sold at very low prices as these may harm their health,” he said.

Ignacio also offered another tip for spotting fake products, saying that the counterfeit items were placed in open shelves while the originals were displayed behind locked display cases.

“This is an indication that the management is aware of the sale of these fake items inside their business establishment,” he told the Inquirer.

He added that the management of Isetann would be charged with trademark infringement and unfair competition.

The mall’s management has yet to issue a statement on the raid although department store floor managers and supervisors have already been interviewed by NBI agents.

Authorities, however, said that the heads of the department stores would not be held liable as they were assigned only to display the products for sale.

According to the NBI, only those who approved the sale of the fake products would be charged in court.