Customs authorities in Shanghai on Wednesday confiscated about 120,000 respiratory mask bearing the brand of US diversified manufacturer 3M Co are finding out that they are fake, according to Chinese state media. Officials at 3M office in China are yet to make a statement about the discovery.

Like Us on Facebook

According to Reuters, the state-run China News Service released a statement that two batches of fake masks were discovered during an inspection conducted at a Shanghai custom site. Several people have reportedly been detained following an extensive investigation after the discovery of the fake masks.

The Bureau of Customs in Shanghai told China News Service that since the fake mask issue surfaced, Shanghai's tally of counterfeit cases increased to 30 this year, involve more than 700,000 products.

China continues to be one of the main sources of counterfiet products worldwide. In China, clones of almost everything have been made from prehistoric fossils to the entire company of Apple Store.

Face masks are quite popular in China as people attempt to avoid inhaling the toxic air and contracting diseases. Air pollution continues to get worse in the country. Recently, authorities in Beijing issued a red alert after record smog levels.

The rise of many factories and the increasing number of vehicles in the country have mainly contributed to the surging levels of pollution in major urban areas.

Tags3M Co, respiratory mask, face mask, fake masks, confiscate, The Bureau of Customs in Shanghai, counterfeits, World Trade Organization, China's smog, 120000 fake masks, Fake Masks China, Fake 3M Masks China