From fake Subways to knockoff Eiffel Towers, China is notorious for its shanzhai (counterfeit) products. We've counted down the worst Chinese ripoffs of 2017. Here's to more intellectual property infringement cases in 2018!
10
Fake QR codes
As QR code technology becomes more ingrained into our everday lives, they're also becoming the tool of choice for scammers to empty wallets or install malware on your device. In March, a Southern Metropolis Daily investigation revealed that Guangzhouers have been scammed out of RMB90 million via fradulent QR codes.
Our advice: think twice before you scan!
9
Fake taxis
Following a slew of taxi scams in South China this year, the Consulate General of the United States in Guangzhou in October issued a stark warning to American expats: beware of cab drivers in China. The fact the Consulate issued such a warning should come as no surprise: taxi drivers in the south have something of a negative reputation, commonly associated with scams, fare-hiking, rigged meters and illegal operations.
8
Fake money
In May, a man entered ABC in Guangzhou and handed the teller 25 bank notes of assorted value – 23 of which were forgeries. Considering the amount of training bank staff receive and the sheer number of bank notes they see on a daily basis, it should come as no surprise that one teller immediately identified the fakes. However, the sheer amount of counterfeit notes even surprised him.
7
Fake Penfolds wine
In November, police confiscated 14,000 bottles of fake Australian wine during a raid on three warehouses in Shanghai and Xiamen, arresting six people in the process. The counterfeiters were caught reproducing and selling fake Penfolds wine, a famous Australian brand, online at a third of the actual Pensfold market price. While tests showed that the fake wine did not have detrimental heath effects, it was still said to be of inferior quality.
6
Fake water
In July, a man (surnamed Zhang) was accused of selling more than RMB150,000 worth of counterfeit water in Shanghai. Police caught him during a raid of his workshop, where they seized more than 300 barrels of water.
5
Fake license plates
It's not a rare occurrence to find cars of the same color, but what about cars of the same make and model that also share a license plate number? That's what happened in July after images circulating on social media showed two identical Mercedes cars bearing the exact same license plate number getting pulled over Shanghai.
4
Fake Ultraviolet in Shanghai
This fall, yet another fake F&B establishment opened in Shanghai, this time ripping off one of the city's very own: Ultraviolet. Queen's 3D Restaurant boasts an experience that appears to be nearly identical to that of the famed establishment from Paul Pairet, one of just two retaurants in Shanghai to earn three stars in this year's Michelin Guide.
3
Fake Nando's in Beijing
Beijing has a fake Nando's. It's called Peri-Peri, and it is so convincingly Nando-like that we needed to check the company's website to confirm that it isn't a franchise. A franchise that doesn't follow any of the rules on cooking. Or spelling.
2
Fake Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an
Photos of sad-looking versions of China's most famous historical statues went viral in January after a netizen posted images from his trip to Xi'an. Following the post's popularity, images from an undercover CCTV reporter's expose on fake Terracotta Warriors resurfaced. The colorful and bizarre-looking ripoff warriors can be found at questionable locations along the "East Tourist Route" in Xi'an.
1
Fake London Tower Bridge in Suzhou
We've seen a fake Pentagon, Venice, Great Sphinx, Eiffel Tower, Titanic, British Sculpture,Terracotta Warriors site and BBC website. The latest victim of Chinese copycat culture: the Tower Bridge of London. The fake Tower Bridge was unveiled in February in Suzhou. The replica features four five-story, 40-meter-tall towers (twice as many as the original landmark's) and an elevator that can take tourists to the top.
Source: that'sPRD
HACOS,Business Services Solutions Master