Several women in the UAE have fallen victim to a social media scam, purchasing counterfeit designer bags from a European seller who falsely advertised the items as authentic luxury goods.
The seller, a Bolivian expat named Maria, allegedly targeted women through Facebook and Instagram, claiming the bags were discounted items from prestigious brands like Chanel, only for buyers to later discover they were fakes.
Maria’s story was shared with Khaleej Times, where she described how she bought a ‘Chanel’ bag for Dh2,000 after encountering the seller’s post in a Facebook group with over 10,000 members.
Original Chanel bags of similar models typically retail for around Dh9,000, which made the deal appear too good to pass up.
“At first, I was excited about the deal, but my excitement quickly turned to suspicion when I saw discussions online about this seller and her allegedly fake designer items,” Maria explained.
To confirm her doubts, she took the bag to an authorized Chanel store, where experts verified it was counterfeit. When she contacted the seller for a refund, the response was dismissive. “She rudely told me, ‘I am not a store’,” Maria recalled.
Maria is just one of many victims who have come forward. A healthcare professional revealed that she purchased 10 bags between August and December 2024, spending between Dh1,500 and Dh2,000 each.
“I planned to gift them, but I became suspicious when one bag didn’t seem right,” she said. After taking the bags to authorized stores, she discovered they were all counterfeit. Attempts to resolve the issue with the seller were met with hostility.
The scam’s allure was bolstered by the seller’s elaborate Instagram unboxing videos, which showcased bags wrapped in branded packaging and marketed as genuine. “She presented herself as a wealthy Arab, repeatedly assuring us these were authentic,” said one victim.
Another buyer revealed that a bag she purchased for Dh2,000 was being sold for just Dh200 in counterfeit markets. “I paid ten times the amount,” she shared.
Concerns have escalated within Facebook groups dedicated to pre-loved luxury goods. One member recounted purchasing a bag advertised as new, supposedly a VIP gift.
While the bag came in branded packaging, the seller could not provide proof of authenticity. When the buyer challenged the claims, she was accused of defamation.
Some victims have shared evidence of the scam, including screenshots of conversations, payment receipts, and images of counterfeit bags. One woman nearly lost Dh30,000 but narrowly avoided it when the seller backed out of an authentication service. “I think she panicked when she heard about the authentication,” the buyer explained.
The European woman at the center of the scam has not responded to requests for comment. When contacted, a man who identified himself as her husband refused to comment, stating, “We don’t want to discuss this.”
Legal experts have warned that such scams carry significant legal consequences. According to Dubai Customs, in 2023, 333 intellectual property disputes were handled, resulting in the seizure of 15 million counterfeit items worth Dh73.4 million.
The UAE strictly prohibits the sale, production, and possession of counterfeit goods for commercial purposes.
Saif Al Shamsi, founder of The Legal Group, stressed the importance of protecting intellectual property rights and consumer safety. “We take counterfeiting very seriously and work closely with authorities to protect consumers,” he said.
Maha Bin Hendi, managing partner at Maha Bin Hendi Law Firm, highlighted the importance of Federal Decree Law No. 42 of 2023, which enhances consumer protection and imposes stricter penalties for commercial fraud.
Offenders could face fines ranging from Dh5,000 to Dh2 million and imprisonment for up to two years. UAE residents are urged to verify the authenticity of items with official stores and report any suspicious activity to the authorities to avoid falling victim to such scams.