Serum sold online...is it real?

I thought it was a popular serum, but the one sold on the Internet was actually a fake.

With the increasing number of consultations saying, "The product I purchased online was a counterfeit," how can I tell if it's a counterfeit?

(Interview team: Kanta Marumo, Keita Ohno, Yukiho Tomoda, Yohei Nishizaki)

A popular beauty essence...

In October this year, a 31-year-old Chinese suspect was accused of selling five counterfeits of the serum "Melano CC" manufactured and sold by Rohto Pharmaceutical, which has its headquarters in Osaka, for 5,400 yen. Arrested on suspicion of misconduct.

It is also suspected of violating the trademark law by counterfeiting packages that look like genuine products.

In July this year, a pharmaceutical company consulted that ``fakes are on the market,'' and the police investigated and found that the beauty ingredients contained in the genuine product were not included.

This beauty essence is a popular product for a wide range of generations, and it is believed that the suspect sold it for 300 to 500 yen cheaper than usual on a flea market site on the Internet and sent it by courier.

In response to the police investigation, he denied the charges and stated, ``I was just asked to deliver the product and I didn't know it was a counterfeit.''

Hard to tell...

About 1,600 fakes were found in the suspect's home, and the seized fakes were released at the police headquarters.

Two boxes, real and fake, at first glance, there is little difference.

However, upon closer inspection, there was a difference.

In counterfeits, the word “medicine” in “quasi-drugs” is different.

A woman who bought a product on the Internet said, "I bought it because it was a little cheaper than the regular price. It may have been a fake. I want to buy from a reliable seller."

Rohto Pharmaceutical commented, ``I am concerned that there was no health damage to our customers.We will continue to work on measures against counterfeiting.''

Problems with online shopping are increasing

We interviewed him in Umeda, Osaka, about his experience of buying counterfeit items online and what he should be careful about.

A university student in her 20s said, "When I bought clothes on the Internet, I received something that was completely different from the picture shown. That's why I started to read reviews more carefully," he said.

A male beautician in his 20s said, ``It's a problem because you can't tell just by looking at a fake product. I used to buy skin care products because they were cheaper on unofficial online shopping sites, and the packaging was the same as the ones sold elsewhere. When I tried it, the feeling of use was different and my skin was sticky. Now, I buy skin care products at pharmacies instead of buying them on the Internet."

According to the National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan, there has been an increase in the number of consultations regarding "products purchased online were counterfeit".

The number of consultations has more than doubled in five years, from 2,127 in 2017 to 4,615 in 2021.

By the end of October in fiscal 2022, more than 2,200 consultations have already been received.

In fiscal 2021, there were 123 consultations about fake cosmetics like this case, which is about three times as many in the last five years.

Inquiries about cosmetics include comments such as, "The design and smell of the packaging are different from those of genuine products." .

What is the distinguishing point?

How can I tell if it's fake or not?

We asked Tomoyo Tahara of the Consumer Policy Division, Consumer Affairs Agency.

It is important for consumers to be aware of the fact that counterfeits are sometimes sold on the Internet when shopping.

After that, I would like you to check three points to distinguish whether it is a fake.

The first is whether there is anything suspicious about the information, such as the location and contact information of the business operator posted on the mail-order site is different from the one posted on the official website.

The second is that the price is significantly lower than the price that is generally distributed.

The third is whether the Japanese in the product description is unnatural or incorrect, and whether the image is flawless.

In addition, the impressions and evaluations of people who bought the same item are also a means of checking whether it is a fake, so I would like you to stop and consider whether the site is trustworthy.

On top of that, if you do get into trouble, he said, "Even if you pay the price, don't worry alone, don't give up and consult your local consumer affairs center."

Regarding the consultation desk, if you call "188 (Iya)" of the "consumer hotline", you will be guided to the nearest consumer affairs center.