Fake Xiaomi products worth Rs 33.3 lakhs seized from suppliers in Chennai, Bangalore: How to identify them

Xiaomi on Monday confirmed that counterfeit products under its sub-brand Mi, of an estimated worth of Rs 33.3 lakhs were seized from four suppliers in Chennai and three suppliers in Bangalore. As a part of the brand's comprehensive proactive anti-counterfeit program, a complaint was filed with the local police station, and raids were conducted in the market in the months of October and November. 

Following the registered complaint, police officers along with the company’s representatives seized counterfeit devices from three prominent shops in the area. Over 3000 products consisting of mobile back cases, headphones, power banks, chargers, and earphones, were found. 

The shop owners from both the cities were arrested for allegedly selling fake Mi India products worth Rs 24.9 lakhs and Rs 8.4 lakhs respectively. Upon interrogation, it was found that these suppliers have been managing this business for a long time and have sold multiple unauthorized products in the market. 

Xiaomi has also listed ways to identify fake products that should help buyers: 

-Some products like carry security codes that can be checked on mi.com to identify the authenticity of the product- eg. Mi Powerbanks, all audio products  

-Packaging and quality of retail boxes are very different. You can visit any Mi Home/ Mi Store to validate the original packaging 

-Check for the original Mi India Logo on the product and you will know if that is authorized. 

- Original logo of packaging can be seen on mi.com 

-All authorized fitness products such as Mi Band(s) will have Mi Fit app compatibility. 

-Unauthorized cables are often flimsy and break easily 

  “Counterfeited products not only degrade customer experience but are also a big threat to consumer health and safety, can also jeopardise privacy & data security and in some cases can also be hazardous. Such incidents have increased in the country over the previous year and to prevent such instances, Mi India has created a special task force that is responsible for constantly monitoring the market and acting against such unauthorised entities and counterfeiters,” the company said.