Scent fakers taking the pee

FAKE designer make-up and perfume may contain cyanide, human urine or rat droppings, gift hunters were warned.

Police issued the alert after more than 500 suspected counterfeit items – worth more than £40,000 – were seized in a raid on a fake perfume factory in London.

The exact location of the raid was not revealed “for operational reasons”.

But detectives said it had taken place at the end of January.

They said tests show fake perfume often contains poisonous chemicals, including cyanide, and even human urine.

Fake cosmetics such as eyeliner, mascara and foundation have also been found to contain toxic levels of chemicals as well as harmful substances such as arsenic and lead.

Det Chf Insp Teresa Russell: “With jewellery and perfume being popular gift choices, it’s easy to fall into the trap of a cheap offer.

“Fake make-up and perfume can contain harmful chemicals and even rat droppings that cause swelling, rashes and burns.”

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