IPHONE owners have been warned of dangerous tactics being used by criminal counterfeiters flogging cheap chargers.
Dodgy sellers are hiding metal weights inside fake Apple power adapters to make them appear like genuine high quality accessories.
Apple and charity Electrical Safety First tested 56 UK and 60 EU iPhone power adapters it identified as counterfeit and marked with Apple’s trademarks or lookalikes, those not marked with the trademarks but which copied the design of a genuine charger.
Of these, 22 samples underwent further internal investigation and 68 per cent were found to have useless metal weights inside them.
In some cases, the metal weight within the counterfeit charger made up a quarter of the overall weight of the product.
Metal weights risk short circuiting the device, increasing the chances of electric shock and fire.
Electrical Safety First said such adjustments "seriously compromised" electrical separation, meaning the user is at risk of coming into contact with a very harmful level of voltage.
"Criminal counterfeiters are doing everything they can to trick shoppers into thinking they’ve bagged a bargain, developing their tactics to avoid suspicion," warned Luke Osborne, deputy technical director at Electrical Safety First.
“Some of these new tactics are increasing the risk of electric shock and fire to the buyer including adding in metal weights to give the impression the adapter feels like a legitimate product.
“Criminals are working harder than ever to deceive consumers, with no regard for their safety in the process.”
A separate test looking at strength of plug pins found seven in 10 failed.
Many of the plug pins snapped completely or became wonky.
This too carries the risk of a serious electric shock.
"If you’re looking to bag an electronic bargain it has never been more important to stick to a reputable retailer or manufacturer in order to shield yourself and your loved ones from fakes that could risk your safety," Mr Osborne added.
An Apple spokesperson told The Sun: "The safety of our customers is our first priority, and the risks associated with counterfeit products can be very serious.
"We have a dedicated team of experts constantly working with law enforcement, merchants, social media companies and e-commerce sites around the world to stop the manufacture, distribution and sale of counterfeit products.
"Every year, we remove more than one million listings for counterfeit and fake Apple products from online marketplaces around the world.
"To make sure you’re purchasing a genuine product, we recommend buying directly from Apple or an Apple authorised distributor.”
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