‘Such heartache’: Cosette under investigation after ‘superfake’ bag claims mount

Angry customers have descended on a Sydney luxury fashion store accused of selling high-quality fake designer bags, as fair trading authorities investigate the business.

On Sunday, this masthead revealed that Cosette – which says it sources authentic designer bags at a discounted price from European suppliers under parallel importing arrangements – had sold handbags to a number of customers who allege the bags were fake, after having them inspected by independent experts. Cosette has repeatedly denied ever selling counterfeit goods.

After a story aired on A Current Affair on Nine (owner of this masthead) on Monday, Cosette’s store in The Rocks was closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. The company claimed the closure was due to staff sickness.

On Wednesday, officers from NSW Fair Trading conducted a site visit to Cosette’s warehouse at another address in The Rocks, after the consumer watchdog said it had received 75 complaints about the business since the start of the week. It also confirmed the company will appear on the next edition of Fair Trading’s official complaints register, which requires at least 10 complaints against a company in a 30-day period.

“NSW Fair Trading has started an investigation and at this stage is unable to provide any more specific detail,” a spokeswoman for NSW Fair Trading said on Thursday. “Fair Trading is investigating the allegations and will liaise with other agencies when appropriate.”

Under Australian Consumer Law, consumers are entitled to a refund “if goods have been misrepresented, including when fake products are represented as genuine,” said the spokeswoman. “Consumers who have purchased from Cosette in the past 48 hours are encouraged to lodge a complaint online to assist NSW Fair Trading with the ongoing investigation.”

Comment has also been sought from Australian Border Force, which administers Cosette’s licence to sell goods duty-free. NSW Police declined to comment.

Since the story broke, dozens of Cosette customers have contacted this masthead to report allegations they purchased wallets, bags and clothing from Cosette – in some cases dating back five years – that they are now concerned are fake. The company has been operating since 2015 and has a large online presence, including collaborations with some of the country’s top influencers and celebrities. Several luxury-goods authenticators reported a substantial increase in demand this week for goods purchased at Cosette to be checked.