Luxury reseller outlines how to spot fake designer bags as social media sales rise

Emily Abraham, a co-owner of the pre-owned luxury boutique Love Luxyry who says she and her husband have sold more than $65 million worth of designer bags, has outlined practical checks buyers can use to spot counterfeit handbags as purchases on social media surge.

Abraham and her husband Adam built a large online audience after appearing on the ITV series Million Pound Pawns and now claim more than 4.3 million followers on TikTok, where they source and sell rare and high-value designer pieces to private clients and collectors. They told reporters that the visibility and volume of transactions on short-form platforms have coincided with an increase in counterfeit listings and misleading offers.

Buyers looking to confirm authenticity should start with provenance and documentation, Abraham said. Original receipts, retail tags, warranty cards and receipts from authorised retailers provide concrete purchase histories and are among the strongest indicators of legitimacy. When such paperwork is unavailable, serial numbers, holograms or date codes embossed or sewn into the product should match brand patterns and be verifiable with the manufacturer or a reputable authentication service.

Close visual inspection can reveal many common counterfeit cues. Consistent, even stitching; high-quality hardware engraved with correct brand markings; logo placement and font that align precisely with known examples; and materials — including leathers, lining fabrics and zippers — that match a brand’s standards are all signals of genuineness. Abraham advised buyers to compare suspected items to verified originals, paying attention to small details such as the spacing of letters in logos and the finish on metal components.

Price and listing details can also signal risk. Offers that are substantially below market value for a sought-after model, or listings that show stock photos rather than multiple clear images of the actual item, should prompt caution. Sellers who refuse returns, decline to provide additional photos, or insist on nontraceable payment methods present higher transaction risk, Abraham said.

Packaging details are another diagnostic tool. Dust bags, boxes, authenticity cards and tissue paper used by luxury brands typically follow consistent textures, colors and printing standards. Counterfeiters often produce packaging that is superficially similar but differs in weight, tag placement or print quality when compared side-by-side with genuine items.

Abraham and other experienced resellers recommend third-party authentication services for high-value purchases. Several firms specialise in designer goods and use serial-number databases, microscopic hardware comparisons and material testing to assess authenticity. When in doubt, obtaining a professional opinion can protect buyers from costly mistakes and provide documentation useful for resale.

The resale market for luxury goods has drawn interest from investors and collectors who view certain models as recession-resistant. Resellers and some private investors have reported six-figure returns on curated portfolios of rare or highly sought-after bags, a dynamic that has increased demand and attracted both legitimate sellers and bad actors looking to capitalise on the market.

Platforms and intermediaries have taken steps to reduce counterfeit activity by offering authentication services, seller verification and dispute resolution processes. Abraham said those measures help, but she emphasised that the onus remains on buyers to perform due diligence: ask for proof of purchase, verify serial numbers, request multiple clear photos of the actual item, and consider using secure payment methods that offer buyer protection.

As social media continues to shape how luxury goods are marketed and sold, industry participants and consumer advocates say combining documentation, close visual inspection and professional authentication offers the most reliable protection against counterfeit designer goods. Abraham’s guidance reinforces long-standing market practices aimed at preserving value and trust in the pre-owned luxury marketplace.