Tweet Facebook Mail An Australian luxury retailer has been cleared over hundreds of allegations it sold fake designer handbags after an investigation found there was no evidence to support the claims. Cosette, which is located in The Rocks in Sydney's CBD and operates a website to sell to customers online, has built a reputation for selling luxury designer goods at discounted prices. NSW Fair Trading received and assessed 1079 consumer complaints and worked directly with overseas luxury brands.
READ MORE: Hurricane Milton regains Category 5 strength as disaster looms Hundreds of customers lodged complaints to NSW Fair Trading about luxury boutique Cosette. (SMH / Louise Kennerley) This included Prada, Burberry, YSL, Gucci and Balenciaga. Investigations into suspected fakes are complex and can take months to complete, requiring interviews, gathering of documentation and advice from technical experts.
A NSW Fair Trading spokesperson said each item was tested and verified as authentic by the brand as opposed to third-party verifiers. READ MORE: PM apologises for 'absolutely despicable' Tourette syndrome comment "In some instances, the luxury brand confirmed the authenticity of handbags that multiple online authenticators had advised customers were fake," the spokesperson said. "The investigation highlights that there are significant issues with the accuracy and reliability of online authenticators, who use AI and algorithms to provide authentications.
"Consumers should be awa.