Ever heard the expression "If it's too good to be true..".
This week FAKE Tiffany jewellery with a street value of half a million pounds has been melted down as a warning was flashed to unsuspecting consumers. 9,000 items, including necklaces, earrings and bracelets, were seized in high-profile raids in Thornaby by Cleveland Police and Stockton Trading Standards officers..
The jewellery, along with other high value items such as Chanel handbags and Hermes scarves, were part of a haul seized from two Chinese nationals operating from an address in Teesdale in 2006.
Large volumes of counterfeit goods were being sold on a UK-based internet site. The couple, in their 20s, believed to be behind the operation did not answer bail and are believed to have fled back to China. The investigation led to a number of bank accounts held by them being frozen by the Government’s Assets Recovery Agency in November last year.
Trading standards chiefs issued a warning to consumers to avoid buying cheap counterfeit jewellery from online auction sites.
David Kitching, Stockton trading standards and licensing manager, said: “This type of jewellery is often manufactured from cheap materials. In this case it contained high levels of aluminium and zinc which can cause skin problems for wearers who have a sensitivity.�
So next time you think you got a Bargain..Think Again!!
Do your homework, look around and make an educated decision. Things have a certain price for a Reason!