Australian teens increasingly engaging in a dangerous illegal trend

Aussie shoppers are turning to Chinese websites to buy fake brand name 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 like 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 buy counterfeit versions of popular sports brands such as Nike and Adidas, often referring to them as replicas or reps.

Benjamin Luke Giles earns money by making videos on his social media channels about the replica products he buys.

Giles, who has spent a total $50,000 on counterfeit items, admits he has an addiction to buying clothes.

Buying counterfeit products helps feed his shopping addiction while still leaving him money to pay for rent and other living costs, he explained.

Some of my friends shoes can go for $50,000. For that same price Ive probably copped 300 pairs of shoes and 500 individual pieces of clothing. Thats for the same price someone has gone and wasted on a P.E. [player-exclusive shoe].

Benjamin Luke Giles earns money by making videos on his social media channels about the replica products he buys and admits to spending $50,000 on counterfeit items

Ive essentially taken that money and made it go further.

In a video shared on his social media, Giles unpacked an enormous haul of replicas, which cost him just $400.

Giles explained it took seven days for the 30kg package to be shipped from China to his home in Western Australia.

The counterfeit shopping haul included a Marc Jacobs tote bag, Prada sunglasses, Dior wallet, Cartier bracelet, a North Face puffer vest, Diesel bags and 10 pairs of replica Nike sneakers.

Giles even gives advice to other shoppers on how to avoid their packages being seized by customs.

Top-tier designer items are the most likely products to be seized by customs, he said.

Get a max of four shoes as they take up a lot of money, and the volume goes up, which is a lot more risk. Dont ship below 2kg and not above 10kg.

Giles uses websites including Sugargoo (pictured), Pandabuy and Taobao to buy items from China. He also offers his TikTok followers advice on how to get fake products through customs

There are even designated Reddit groups for Sugargoo, Pandabuy and Taobao customers, who share pictures of their purchases and detail the quality, giving recommendations to others looking to buy the same item.

Buying cheap knock-offs might seem harmless, but purchasing pirated or counterfeit goods is illegal because it violates copyright and trademark laws, the Australian Border Force warns.

There can be a tendency to view these as harmless or victimless crimes, but this is misleading, an ABF spokesperson said.

Counterfeiting damages legitimate Australian industry by creating an unfair playing ground for businesses that do the right thing.

The ABF explained counterfeit goods also include pharmaceutical and beauty products, and not just fake designer handbags, apparel and knock-off shoes.

Counterfeit goods also pose serious health and safety risks, the ABF said.

A young woman from Sydney is seen here wearing a pair of genuine Nike sneakers

It is illegal to buy pirated and counterfeit goods because they are subjected to copyright and trademark laws, according to Australian Border Force. (Stock image of a man having his luggage inspected at the airport upon arrival in Australia)

Funds from counterfeit smuggling can finance other criminality in our communities, including organised crime.

Criminal operations may 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 target counterfeit shipments.

Luxury items are the most commonly seized counterfeit goods, along with mobile phones and accessories, car parts, clothing, shoes, watches and toys.

The government body encourages public to help protect Australias border by reporting any suspicious border-related behaviour and trade activity through its dedicated service known as Border Watch.

What are rep sneakers?

Replica sneakers - or rep sneakers - are counterfeit or imitation versions of popular and expensive sneakers that are designed to resemble the original brands products.

The manufacture and sale of replica sneakers is illegal in Australia, as they infringe upon intellectual property rights and trademarks of the original brands.

While replica sneakers may resemble the authentic versions in terms of design and appearance, there are usually significant differences in terms of quality, materials used, and craftsmanship.

Genuine Nike sneakers, like the ones seen on this model, are a hot fashion commodity and prized among collectors