UK Customs Warns Of Dangerous Fake Consoles

The British government's HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) department advises consumers in the region to be mindful of counterfeit Nintendo DS consoles, as they are bundled with potentially dangerous power adapters. HMRC says that hundreds of imported counterfeit consoles, mostly fake Nintendo DS and DS Lite systems, were recently seized at UK freight depots. They were found to include adapters that the department deemed potentially dangerous, as they had not been electronically tested and do not meet UK safety standards. The handhelds were purchased from a variety of websites, most based in Asia, for around £40 ($59), instead of the usual retail price of £100 ($147). The sites claimed that the systems were "genuine Nintendo products." Nintendo, however, reviewed the consoles and found them to be counterfeit, joining HMRC in admonishing the reproductions. "UK consumers must be vigilant when purchasing goods online," says HMRC's Intellectual Property rights head Pamela Rogers. "Buy from a reputable or regulated site and, if purchasing from outside the UK or a new website, research the site -- check all the facts before you buy." She continues, "At best, these consoles would have led to disappointment on Christmas morning; at worst, they could have caused serious harm or injury. Counterfeit goods also cause considerable damage the UK economy by undermining genuine UK retailers and small businesses who are honest and abide by the rules."