In some cases, ordering cheap branded products results in receiving a counterfeit product, sometimes you receive nothing at all and, especially in the case of medication, the product can even be dangerous.
Watchlist Internet summarized here what you can pay attention to in online shops and on platforms such as Amazon in order to protect yourself and not make yourself a criminal offense!
When we talk about counterfeit brands in online retail, we have to distinguish between two categories: In category 1, imitations of real brand products are actually offered and sent on fraudulent websites, but often also on reputable marketplaces such as the Amazon Marketplace. In category 2, on the other hand, branded products are only offered at unrealistically low prices in fake shops, but either nothing is sent or a product that has nothing to do with the one ordered is sent.
Category 1: Actual counterfeits
The product categories fashion, jewelry, watches, spare parts and medication are particularly affected by counterfeit brands. When searching for products from these areas, you may end up on websites that display a genuine product or an imitation that looks confusingly similar to the real product. If an order is placed, a counterfeit version of the ordered product will be sent. In many cases, this counterfeit trademark is picked up and destroyed by customs when it is imported into the EU. But the product often makes it to you.
What can I do if I have received a counterfeit product?
If you have received a counterfeit brand, you usually have little chance of getting your money back. Since such online shops are operated by criminals, it is hopeless to invoke warranty rights or make use of the right of withdrawal. However, if the product was ordered via a platform such as the Amazon Marketplace, for example, it may be helpful to contact the respective platform and complain about the order there or at least report the respective offer.
What are the dangers of counterfeit brands?
While this is often not obvious at first glance, the use of a counterfeit brand can pose certain risks. We strongly advise against using it, especially when it comes to medication. In the best case scenario, the drug is ineffective. In the worst case scenario, however, it can cause serious side effects that can even be life-threatening. Counterfeit spare parts, for example for cars, bicycles or e-scooters, can also be particularly dangerous. If such a counterfeit spare part fails at the wrong moment, it can have serious consequences. While the dangers are not quite as great with fashion or watches, for example, wearing them can also have unpleasant consequences. Cheap materials or chemicals used in production can cause serious skin irritation.
Am I committing a criminal offense by purchasing counterfeit brands?
There is no clear answer here, but if you unknowingly purchased a counterfeit brand even though you thought you were ordering a genuine product, there is usually no reason to worry. However, if you intentionally purchase a counterfeit product, you may be criminally liable and corresponding claims for damages from the company concerned cannot be ruled out.
However, you are certainly committing a criminal offense if you resell counterfeit brands, for example via classified advertising platforms. This must urgently be avoided.
Category 2: Fake shops with branded products
Category 2 of brand counterfeits on the Internet are fake shops that display branded goods on their websites, but either don't send anything or something completely different. For example, such websites display a (often unrealistically) heavily discounted Nike shoe on their website. When you order the shoe, you don't get a Nike imitation, but rather a fake branded pair of glasses, a pair of cheap slippers, a fake Gucci bandana or nothing at all nothing.
How can I protect myself from buying counterfeit brands?
- Unrealistic prices: The 8,000 euro Rolex watch only costs 500 euros? Or the latest Adidas shoe is 80% off? This is definitely a fraudulent offer!
- Check imprint: Most fake shops that offer counterfeit brands have no imprint and no functioning contact option - a clear sign of fraud and a reason to stay away.
- Sold out products available for delivery: Fake shops often have huge product ranges and all goods are available for delivery. A comparison with reputable sites shows that the products have long been sold out.
- Check our list of fraudulent online stores !
- Install our fake shop detector !
- Get testimonials: Search for testimonials using your search engine. Please note that a lack of experience can also be a sign of fraud, as fake shops often only stay online for a short time.
- Pay attention to certifications from online shops!
How to check reputable quality marks and certificates:
In order for genuine online shops to display reputable quality marks on their websites, they must go through strict testing procedures and meet certain criteria. Fraudulent online shops therefore often try to create trust using fake or fictitious certificates and quality marks. With reputable quality marks such as the Austrian E-Commerce Quality Mark, Trusted Shops or Trustmark Austria, you can easily check whether it is a genuine certificate by clicking on the quality mark logo. If it is not possible to click on a quality mark or if a link leads to nothing, you can search for the certified shops on the websites of the certification bodies. E.g. at www.guetezeichen.at/zertified-websites . If you don't find any indication of the authenticity of a quality mark there, you should be careful. Also make sure that you actually end up on the website of the respective certificate authorities and not just on a fake page that was also set up by the criminals.
Click on the Austrian E-Commerce Quality Mark logo and view the sample certificate:
What can you do as a victim?
If you have actually received counterfeit brands, we advise against using them to avoid the dangers mentioned above. If you purchase via reputable platforms or marketplaces, we advise you to contact the respective platform. So there is the possibility of a refund. If the purchase was made through a fake shop, all you can do is try to contact your payment service provider or credit card provider. It is possible that the money can be refunded this way. You can also consider filing a police report.
Advice & Help
For specific advice requests, please contact the relevant offices that Watchlist Internet has listed for you Advice & Help
Source:
Watchlist Internet
Also read our fact checks:
Dog food instead of protein bars?
TikTok users test unconventional diet No exploding electric car at a gas station
Easter eggs - A fact check about the colorful Easter symbol
If you enjoyed this post and value the importance of well-founded information, become part of the exclusive Mimikama Club! Support our work and help us promote awareness and combat misinformation. As a club member you receive:
📬 Special Weekly Newsletter: Get exclusive content straight to your inbox.
🎥 Exclusive video* “Fact Checker Basic Course”: Learn from Andre Wolf how to recognize and combat misinformation.
📅 Early access to in-depth articles and fact checks: always be one step ahead.
📄 Bonus articles, just for you: Discover content you won't find anywhere else.
📝 Participation in webinars and workshops : Join us live or watch the recordings.
✔️ Quality exchange: Discuss safely in our comment function without trolls and bots.
Join us and become part of a community that stands for truth and clarity. Together we can make the world a little better!
* In this special course, Andre Wolf will teach you how to recognize and effectively combat misinformation. After completing the video, you have the opportunity to join our research team and actively participate in the education - an opportunity that is exclusively reserved for our club members!
Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )


