A Daily Star Sunday investigation found dangerous copies of designer goods being flogged on markets across the UK in the run-up to February 14.
Among the items being sold were counterfeit Jo Malone candles which explode when lit and fake GHD hair straighteners with electrical faults that could start a fire.
Other dodgy goods our investigators found at the notorious Cheetham Hill street market in Manchester included fake Urban Decay and Mac make-up sets that have been found to contain cancer-causing ingredients.
Balance boards were also on offer for a fraction of the £300 high street price.
We were offered one for just £180 by a trader, even though the Back To The Future-style gadgets have been blamed for a spate of house fires due to dodgy plugs.
Many of the items on sale were badly assembled and posed a fire risk.
Knock-off hair straighteners were on sale for just £15 – a whopping £150 less than genuine GHD ones sell for.
But the iron panels were already loose, meaning anyone using them would be lucky to escape with just frazzled hair.
Another trader offered us swanky Jo Malone candles for £5. They sell for £42 in upmarket shops such as Selfridges and John Lewis.
However, the glass holders have been shown to explode when the candles are lit.
Traders also tried to fleece us with bottles of knock-off perfume, many of which contain chemicals which can cause rashes.
Trading standards and consumer experts have warned the fakes are sure- fire passion killers.
According to the Anti-Counterfeiting Group (ACG), UK enforcement officers have seen a rise in the sale of counterfeits in the run-up to Valentine’s Day in recent years.
They say many items are being sold by criminal gangs and are in some cases extremely dangerous.
Investigators found fake make-up containing rat droppings and perfume topped up with urine.
Alison Statham, director of operations at ACG, said: “Tests have revealed fake mascara, eyeliner, lip-gloss and foundation containing toxic levels of chemicals and other harmful substances such as mercury and lead.
“Some experts even suggested the use of rat droppings and cancer-causing compounds.
“Counterfeit perfume and aftershaves can burn your skin or leave you with a nasty rash, which can reoccur when you use any kind of perfume in future. Tests have revealed that urine has been used as a stabiliser in some.
“Counterfeiters aim to deceive consumers into believing they are buying safe, high quality products made by well-known, reputable companies.
“These do not comply with British or European safety legislation. The result can be electrocution, explosions or fire.”
Trading standards expert Robert Chantry-Price said: “People who give their loved ones counterfeit goods are endangering their lives.
"That these potentially lethal items are bought as gifts is heartbreaking.”
