What are my rights if I'm sold a counterfeit or fake product in the UAE?

Selling counterfeit or fake goods is prohibited in the UAE and is both a consumer-protection and an intellectual-property violation. If you discover that an item sold to you as genuine is counterfeit, you generally have grounds to demand a refund or replacement, because the product was misrepresented and does not match how it was described. Gather your evidence first: the invoice, the product and its packaging, any branding or labels, and the seller's advertisement claiming it was authentic. Raise it with the seller in writing, but be aware that counterfeit trade is taken seriously by the authorities, so you can also report it to the Ministry of Economy (600 522225) or your emirate's economic department, which enforce against fake goods. Reporting helps protect other buyers and can trigger action against the trader, not just resolve your individual purchase. Where the counterfeit involves a known brand, the brand owner's representatives may also act. Keep all evidence safe and avoid altering the item. For significant losses, you can compare verified UAE legal professionals on LEXAI to assess any further claim.