In 2020, There Has Been a 50% Increase in Fake Goods Being Sold Online in S’pore

It’s not just scams that are on the rise in Singapore.

According to the Singapore Police Force (SPF), the presence of counterfeit goods (or fake goods), are on the rise as well.

In 2020, There Has Been a 50% Increase in Fake Goods Being Sold Online in S’pore

Between Jan and Oct 2020, there’s been a 50% increase in cases of fake goods being sold online reported to the police, compared to last year.

While the SPF didn’t specify the number of cases, they added that it might be more because not every victim of a counterfeit sale would report it to the police.

From Aug to Oct 2020, at least 6 notices were issued by the SPF detailing the investigation on counterfeit goods being sold online and the suspected importation of counterfeit goods.

They’ve arrested 12 people and the youngest was only 16 years old.

It was added that the fake goods seized are worth more than $20,000 on the market.

Possible Reasons Why This Is Happening

According to NTU’s director of Marketing Department of the Nanyang Business School, Associate Professor Huang Xueling, this increase could be due to the rising popularity of e-commerce and online shopping.

When you buy online, it’s harder for consumers to touch and feel the product for themselves.

Some sellers also use Facebook Live to add a layer of authenticity to the goods that they are hawking to people.

When you have a face to put to the transaction, it makes people trust it more because if anything goes wrong, they have a face to trace it back to.

It’s Easier To Buy Them Now

There are people out there who don’t mind getting counterfeit goods.

In the past, before e-commerce, people have to know where to go to get them.

But today, they can be easily obtained via the internet.

Professor Huang added that online shopping gives such buyers courage too because the internet gives them “another layer” of anonymity.

If It’s Too Good To Be True…It Usually Is

Now, what if you want to avoid buying counterfeit products?

One way, according to Professor Huang, is to look at the price.

If it’s too good to be true…it probably is.

In other words, treat it as though it’s a scam and you’re probably going to do fine.

Image: SPF