Police have warned women to be wary of the growing trade in fake cosmetics, including tanning creams.
The advice was offered by The Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency (SCDEA) – a Get Safe Online official Supporter – at the Girls' Day Out exhibition at the SECC in Glasgow at the weekend. The event was attended by celebrities such as Katie Price, Calum Best and Britain's Got Talent's Edward Reid.
The agency said that false websites are being used by criminals to sell counterfeit goods. Some sites also steal credit card details and obtain cash for goods that will never be delivered. Police were offering advice on spotting fakes at the exhibition. If it looks too good to be true, they said, it probably is.
Det Ch Insp Ronnie Megaughin said: "We are urging consumers to think very carefully before buying fake beauty products or any other counterfeit goods. Imagine how you would feel if you injected a tanning solution which turned your skin orange" He added "It's not uncommon to find paint stripper and nail varnish remover in mascara."
According to the SCDEA, the best advice consumers can follow is to check out a brand's authorised and approved sellers and dealers, and always buy beauty products from a trusted source. This advice is wholeheartedly endorsed by Get Safe Online.
