Numerous daily necessities that Mumbaikars buy online through unrecognised apps are false, according to a report by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW).
14 cases involving copyright products and 11 cases involving other duplicative products, according to an EOW Crime Branch (CB) control unit official, have been filed in Mumbai.
According to officials, the EOW has detained 61 persons in the last eight months and confiscated fraudulent copyright goods and culinary products used for daily necessities worth Rs 5 crore.
“The accused persons own shops and many of them sell products online. During the probe, we found that people in Mumbai are using online platforms to purchase daily-need products, but they should be aware that 99 per cent of these products purchased through unrecognised apps are fake and duplicate,” an EOW official said.
He claimed that because the prices of the goods sold online are lower than those of genuine goods, consumers are taken advantage of.
“This year we have seized duplicate copyright products like floor cleaners, make-up items, branded shoes, iPhone mobile accessories, single-touch diabetic machine, salt, jeans etc. The duplicate consumable products include palm oil, paneer, milk, lubricants used in bikes, watches, e-cigarettes and other items,” the official added.
After examining the product’s expiration date and the name of the manufacturer, he suggested consumers to visit adjacent shops, malls, and department stores to make purchases.
“Such duplicate products and eatable items are not only causing losses to the government exchequer but are also hazardous to the health of people. We are keeping a close watch on such fake copyright sales and duplicate products, and will deal strictly with such people,” the official added.