In a concerning development, thousands of counterfeit stamps originating from China are infiltrating Britain’s postal system, leaving unsuspecting victims to foot £5 penalties for their mail. Security experts have labeled this influx of fake stamps as ‘economic warfare’, urging Royal Mail to launch a thorough investigation into the matter.

Reports suggest that four Chinese companies are churning out a staggering one million counterfeit stamps weekly, flooding the British market with convincing replicas. These forgeries, priced as low as 4p each, are finding their way into the hands of smaller retailers who procure stamps from alternate sources, bypassing direct purchases from Royal Mail.

Websites based in China are openly offering sheets of 50 counterfeit stamps, complete with Royal Mail’s new barcode, to buyers willing to commit to minimum orders of 20,000 stamps. This practice not only undermines the integrity of the postal system but also poses a significant threat to businesses and consumers alike.

Post Office Minister Kevin Hollinrake has pledged to collaborate with Royal Mail and retailers to investigate the issue. He emphasized the importance of preventing counterfeit stamps from infiltrating the UK’s supply chain, urging Royal Mail to take swift action to identify the source of these forgeries.

Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith has called for a criminal inquiry into the matter, likening the distribution of fake stamps to printing money. Stamps, considered secure print items akin to banknotes, are protected by criminal law, making it illegal to reuse or sell counterfeit or used stamps knowingly.

Alan Mendoza of the Henry Jackson Society has accused China of engaging in economic warfare by robbing British businesses of revenue through large-scale counterfeit operations. He asserts that such operations could not occur without tacit approval from the Chinese Communist Party, signalling a deliberate attempt to undermine the UK’s economy.

While stamps purchased directly from the Post Office remain unaffected, concerns persist regarding counterfeit stamps sold through scam websites mimicking Royal Mail’s online store and popular marketplaces like Amazon and eBay.

Both Amazon and eBay have reiterated their strict policies against counterfeit items on their platforms. However, concerns raised by customers penalized for using allegedly counterfeit stamps underscore the need for robust measures to tackle this growing threat.

Royal Mail has assured that they are actively monitoring online marketplaces to detect suspicious activity and collaborating with retailers and law enforcement agencies to combat counterfeit stamp production.

As investigations continue, stakeholders remain vigilant, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the integrity of Britain’s postal system against illicit activities that undermine public trust and security.