The Daily Mail has published a long article on the problem of websites that claim to be selling genuine designer shoes at a discount — but are actually supplying fakes imported from the Far East.

According to the article, Beware Killer Heels, “websites with UK addresses claiming to offer genuine Christian Louboutin shoes, Jimmy Choos and Manolo Blahnik are at the centre of an international scam worth millions.”

Louboutin chief operating officer Alexis Mourot told the Daily Mail: ‘This has changed from being a minimal problem to a flood, in terms of these fake websites, in just the last six months.

‘It is all coming out of China. These are not small workshops. This is organised and the money is going to criminals, the Mafia.’

Mr Mourot said: ‘Some people may think it is good to be able to buy cheap copies, but we would say this is definitely not cool, it is criminal.’

The company is working with customs in the UK and France to identify the purchasers and sellers.

Some websites has also been shut down following talks with large internet operators, however they are quickly replaced with similar new names.

Whilst not exactly cutting edge in design, the sites mentioned in the Daily Mail article — such as the mis-spelled ChristionLouboutin.com and ChristianLouboutinLondon.com — are, at first glance at least, pretty convincing. And, as I write, they are both still online…

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