Australian shoppers are turning to Chinese websites to buy fake brand products for a fraction of the price, with replicas so well made they could fool almost anyone.
High-quality copies of clothing, bags and shoes from luxury brands such as Hermès, Louis Vuitton and Chanel are available on platforms such as Sugargoo, Pandabuy and Taobao.
These websites act as intermediaries, connecting customers with local Chinese sellers.
Many Australians use these sites to purchase counterfeit versions of popular sports brands such as Nike and Adidas, often referring to them as “replicas” or “representatives.”
Benjamin Luke Giles makes money by making videos on his social media channels about the replicas of products he buys.
Giles, who has spent a total of $50,000 on counterfeit items, admits he has “an addiction to buying clothes.”
Buying counterfeit goods helps fuel his shopping addiction while leaving him with money to pay rent and other living expenses, he explained.
‘Some of my friends’ shoes can cost $50,000. For that same price I have probably bought 300 pairs of shoes and 500 individual items of clothing. That’s for the same price someone wasted on a PE (player exclusive shoe).
Benjamin Luke Giles makes money by making videos on his social media channels about the replica products he buys and admits to spending $50,000 on counterfeit items.
“Basically, I took that money and made it go further.”
In a video shared on his social networks, Giles unpacked a huge haul of replicas, which cost him only $400.
Giles explained that the 30kg package took seven days to be shipped from China to his home in Western Australia.
The counterfeit shopping haul included a Marc Jacobs handbag, Prada sunglasses, a Dior wallet, a Cartier bracelet, a North Face quilted vest, Diesel handbags and 10 pairs of replica Nike sneakers.
Giles even gives advice to other shoppers on how to avoid having their packages seized by customs.
“Top-end designer items are the most likely to be confiscated by customs,” he said.
‘Get a maximum of four shoes as they consume a lot of money and the volume increases which is much more risk. Please do not send less than 2 kg nor more than 10 kg.
Giles uses websites such as Sugargoo (pictured), Pandabuy and Taobao to purchase items from China. He also offers his TikTok followers tips on how to get fake products through customs.
There are even Reddit groups designated for Sugargoo, Pandabuy and Taobao customers, who share photos of their purchases and detail the quality, giving recommendations to others looking to buy the same item.
Buying cheap knock-offs may seem harmless, but buying pirated or counterfeit products is illegal because it violates copyright and trademark laws, the Australian Border Force warns.
“There may be a tendency to view these crimes as harmless or victimless, but this is misleading,” an ABF spokesperson said.
“Counterfeiting harms legitimate Australian industry by creating an unfair playing field for companies doing the right thing.”
The ABF explained that counterfeit products also include pharmaceutical and beauty products, and not just fake imitation bags, clothing and shoes.
“Counterfeit products also pose serious health and safety risks,” the ABF said.
Seen here is a young woman from Sydney wearing a pair of genuine Nike sneakers.
According to the Australian Border Force, it is illegal to buy pirated and counterfeit products because they are subject to copyright and trademark laws. (File image of a man having his luggage inspected at the airport upon arrival in Australia)
‘Funds from counterfeit smuggling can fund other types of crime in our communities, including organized crime.
“Criminal operations can also involve the exploitation of vulnerable workers, including victims of modern slavery, to produce counterfeit goods.”
The ABF works with intellectual property brand owners and policy agencies such as IP Australia and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, state and territory regulators and international agencies to combat counterfeit submissions.
Luxury goods are the most commonly seized counterfeit products, along with mobile phones and accessories, car parts, clothing, shoes, watches and toys.
The government body encourages the public to help protect Australia’s border by reporting any suspicious border-related behavior and commercial activity through its dedicated service known as Border Watch.
What are ‘sneakers’?
Replica sneakers, or ‘repeat sneakers’, are counterfeit versions or imitations of popular and expensive sneakers that are designed to resemble the original brand’s products.
The manufacture and sale of replica sneakers is illegal in Australia as they infringe the intellectual property rights and trademarks of the original brands.
While replica sneakers may resemble authentic versions in terms of design and appearance, there are usually significant differences in terms of quality, materials used, and craftsmanship.
Original Nike sneakers, like the ones seen on this model, are a hot fashion item and highly prized among collectors.