TV talent show star’s mum promoted dodgy goods
Derek Alexander X Factor star Nicky McDonald’s mum removed an advert promoting fake designer goods from her Facebook page af ter being confronted by Sunday Mail investigators.
Eileen McDonald pushed a haul of fake Armani trainers, Christian Dior tops and Jo Malone toiletries to her 5000 followers on the site.
Nicky, 22, of Motherwell, was X Factor runner-up in 2013. The singer’s mum – who admitted buying a tracksuit and T- shirt – was hit with requests for a price list.
Trading Standards say that the illegal trade costs the UK economy more than £9billion in revenue, £ 4billion in unpaid tax and 60,000 jobs.
They believe that profits from the sale of fake goods are ploughed into other types of organised crime including drug dealing and people trafficking.
A source said: “The items were clearly fake and the Jo Malone bottles looked nothing like the real thing. But it didn’t stop her Facebook friends who were quick to ask for a price list.”
Eileen claimed she agreed to promote the sale as a favour to one of her customers. She posted images of the fake goods last Wednesday and wrote: “Anyone interested in these high-quality import like-for- like fantastic value for money and high- end quality any of these items, inbox me, can be ordered to my friend and picked up for Friday.”
Eileen said she was unaware the items she was promoting were bootleg and removed the ad.
She said: “I was asked by a friend if I would plug them on my page and I said “Aye”. I’m not selling anything, I’ve got a fulltime job. You’re telling me it’s counterfeit. I didn’t know it was counterfeit. Away and stop being an idiot.” Robert Steenson, chief executive of North Lanarkshire Council and deter strand lead for Scotland’s Serious Organised Crime Taskforce, said: “The buying and selling of counterfeit goods isn’t a victimless crime.
“It’s an area that is hugely exploited by organised crime gangs and is a real and present danger in many communities while posing a threat to legitimate businesses.”
Facebook said it did not allow the sale of counterfeit items and removed content which violated their policies.