In a major operation targeting counterfeit cosmetics, the Korean Intellectual Property Office’s trademark police have arrested several individuals involved in distributing fake beauty products falsely marketed under prestigious international brands.
On June 19, authorities confirmed the arrest of a group led by a 42-year-old wholesaler, along with three accomplices. The suspects are being prosecuted for allegedly violating trademark laws through the sale of over 87,000 counterfeit cosmetics. These products were falsely advertised as parallel imports of well-known international brands and were distributed from April 2023 to March 2024. The genuine versions of these cosmetics are estimated to be worth 7.9 billion won (USD 5.8M), while the suspects reportedly earned around 2.1 billion won (USD 1.5M) from the operation.
Authorities uncovered that the group employed advanced methods of deception, managing to fool even experienced distributors and home shopping platforms. The counterfeit products were manufactured with such precision that it was extremely difficult to distinguish them from genuine ones. The group sold the fakes within South Korea and attempted to export them and market them through home shopping channels. During the investigation, over 40,000 counterfeit items were discovered in a warehouse in Gyeonggi Province, intended for distribution through home shopping outlets.
The director at the Korean Intellectual Property Office, highlighted the difficulty consumers face in identifying counterfeit cosmetics due to their close resemblance to authentic products. He advised the public to avoid purchasing items offered at unusually low prices and to buy only from authorized retailers to ensure both the authenticity and safety of cosmetic products.