The global success of Arabian fragrances has a downside: the rise of counterfeits. Dubious bottles, diluted juices, opaque sellers… Here's how to spot a fake perfume and buy with peace of mind.
Inspired-by is not counterfeit
First, let's clear up a common confusion. An inspired-by fragrance (like most Lattafa, Armaf or French Avenue creations) is an original and perfectly legal fragrance, signed by a real house, which reinterprets the accord of a famous perfume. A counterfeit, on the other hand, is an illegal copy that usurps a brand's name and packaging to deceive you. The first is an authentic product; the second is a scam. (We cover it all in our guide to Dubai fragrances →.)
Here, we're talking about spotting fakes: products pretending to be a brand they're not.
The 6 signs that give away a fake perfume
1. A price too good to be true
This is the first red flag. A perfume slashed 70% below its usual price, offered by an unknown seller, should immediately raise suspicion. Real Arabian fragrances are already affordable: an unrealistic discount often hides a fake.
2. Sloppy packaging
Examine the box: poorly fitted or missing cellophane, blurry printing, dull colours, spelling mistakes on the name or wording, a barcode that's peeling off. Real houses take care with their packaging; a fake often gives itself away at the box.
3. A poor-quality bottle and atomiser
Lightweight glass, a cap that closes badly, a pump that leaks or sprays in large droplets, a crooked label… On an original, the bottle is heavy and clean, and the sprayer diffuses a fine, even mist.
4. An inconsistent batch code
Every authentic perfume carries a batch code engraved or printed on the bottle and on the box. The two must match. A missing, unreadable, or mismatched code between box and bottle is a strong sign of counterfeit.
5. Suspicious juice and longevity
Be wary of an abnormally dark or cloudy colour, an aggressive alcohol smell that dominates everything, or a perfume that vanishes within an hour when the original is known to last. A fake is often diluted: little sillage, no longevity.
6. An opaque seller
Profiles with no legal information, peer-to-peer resale marketplaces, short-lived social media accounts… If you can't clearly identify the seller, their address and their return policy, move on.
Buy with confidence
To avoid bad surprises, always favour:
- an identified website, with legal information, contact details and clear terms of sale;
- precise product pages (brand, size, olfactory pyramid);
- a reachable customer service and a transparent return policy;
- verifiable customer reviews.
At Emirates Premium, all our fragrances are 100% authentic, sourced from the official houses (Lattafa, Armaf, Afnan, Maison Alhambra, French Avenue…) and shipped from France. No counterfeits, no bad surprises: only genuine oriental fragrances.
Ready to buy with complete peace of mind? Discover our most popular fragrances or explore the entire catalogue.
