In malls and online marketplaces worldwide, luxury handbags, watches, shoes, and clothing are increasingly appearing in imitation. For shoppers, the appeal is simple: the items look expensive but cost a fraction of the genuine article.
But behind the seeming bargain lies a darker reality. Experts warn that the counterfeit industry is far from harmless. While buyers may assume that purchasing a fake handbag or watch is a victimless act, the global counterfeit market is estimated to be worth hundreds of billions of dollars annually—much of it linked to organized crime networks involved in human trafficking, forced labor, and other illegal activities.
That was one of the points raised during a recent conversation with Vidyuth Srinivasan, CEO and co-founder of Entrupy, a data-driven authentication platform for luxury goods.
At an exclusive luncheon at the Manila House Private Club in Bonifacio Global City, Entrupy met with media and industry players, including Purse Maison, Doctor Leather, and the Freya Collective. The conversation carried a sense of urgency: the company’s mission is to restore trust across the global supply chain using AI technology that guarantees 99.86 percent accuracy in authenticating luxury items.
“Counterfeit activity isn’t just about fake products. It exposes consumers to toxic chemicals and fuels illegal networks,” Srinivasan said. “The real victims are those buying counterfeits. Most think they got a deal, but they don’t know the true cost.”
According to Entrupy’s State of the Fake 2025 report, Louis Vuitton and Chanel remain the most faked luxury bags worldwide and in the Philippines. Globally, Louis Vuitton topped the list in 2024, followed by Prada and Gucci.
In the Asia-Pacific region, Prada was the most faked, with Louis Vuitton and Chanel trailing. In the Philippines, Chanel led the pack, followed by Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Goyard, and Dior.
The report, which relies on AI-powered tools to examine millions of items, also revealed which brands face the highest risk of being faked relative to submission volume. Globally, Goyard topped the risk list at 22.8 percent, followed by Prada (14.3 percent), Givenchy (11.6 percent), Loewe (10.5 percent), and Saint Laurent (10.3 percent).
In the Philippines, Loewe, Goyard, Celine, Chloé, and MCM were considered high-risk. Entrupy’s data shows that 91.6 percent of luxury items authenticated in 2024 were genuine, while 8.4 percent remained “unidentified”—a stark reminder of how difficult it remains to verify authenticity. In terms of submissions, the Philippines ranked eighth globally, trailing the United States, Japan, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
As Filipino shoppers prepare for the holiday season, a quiet battle is unfolding. Entrupy, expanding its footprint in Southeast Asia, is helping safeguard consumers and defend the integrity of luxury brands.
Founded to combat a $1 trillion global counterfeit industry, Entrupy aims to create a safer and more transparent marketplace for luxury goods.
“Our goal was always to add trust and become a standard,” Srinivasan said. “Every time someone uses our service, they’re adding trust. Every time a certificate is checked, that trust is absorbed. That’s the future of a trustworthy industry.”
The Philippines has emerged as a key market for Entrupy. Data show it is the second-largest user of the service in Southeast Asia, with Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Gucci topping authentication requests. Yet counterfeit activity continues to surge, particularly on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, where transactions often move to private messages, making scams harder to detect.
Experts warn that the stakes go far beyond deception. Many counterfeit items contain hazardous substances such as lead, arsenic, and cadmium, posing real risks to consumers and the environment. Globally, counterfeit activity has escalated into a $464 billion industry—rivaling the GDP of countries such as Austria or Belgium.
